WELCOME TO THE JUSTICES RAY L. BROCK, JR. ROBERT E. COOPER AMERICAN INN OF COURT
The Justices Ray L. Brock, Jr. Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court (the "Inn") was established in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2001 by a core group of Chattanooga judges and attorneys led by former Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge W. Neil Thomas, III, the Inn's founding member. The purpose of the Inn is to promote civility and ethics in the legal profession while fostering legal excellence and sharpening the skills of its members and mentoring the Inn's associates. Since its inception, the Inn has continued its dynamic growth and has attracted judges and attorneys among all three membership levels and now has more than 150 active members who meet monthly to enjoy a social hour, break bread together, catch up on other members' personal activities, share the latest legal news and "war stories" and stay updated with legal developments as they hear an exciting legal program and earn an hour of CLE credit. The meetings provide members with the opportunity for networking and receiving continuing education.
The Inn meets monthly from September through June on the second Thursday of each month at The Walden Club located in The Republic Centre at 633 Chestnut Street, Suite 2100, Chattanooga, TN 37450. The Inn meetings begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., a seated dinner starting around 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends promptly at 8:00 p.m. The Inn's September meeting is a new member orientation and introductory program for the new Inn year when the Inn's pupilage groups are assigned a month when each group will present a CLE program. The October and November meetings provide a program with CLE credit for members. The December meeting is the Inn's annual holiday party and charity auction during which the Inn raises money for a worthy nonprofit organization in Chattanooga, which is selected annually by the Inn's Executive Committee. The January through May meetings provide the Inn's associates with mentoring opportunities and offer CLE programs presented by the Inn's pupilage groups. The June meeting is the Inn's annual business meeting and awards program.
Brock-Cooper Inn Mentoring Program
The Brock-Cooper Inn of Court (the "Inn") includes as part of its goals to provide mentoring to its members, particularly its associates. To meet that goal, it has established a mentoring program.
The Inn's mentoring program consists of addressing mentoring topics at its regular chapter meetings and encouraging mentoring topics to be discussed among the Inn's pupilage groups. With respect to the discussion of mentoring topics at regular meetings, the Inn provides a "Mentoring Moment" at each meeting. During that moment, a member of the Inn shares a story or advice that would be helpful to developing the Inn's young lawyers. Topics for such mentoring moments may include opportunities for and examples of professional conduct among attorneys, a discussion of ethical issues or problems, and a discussion of client-relation issues. The Inn solicits ideas for the "Mentoring Moment" from all of its members via email prior to each meeting.
With respect to mentoring through pupilage groups, the Inn encourages its pupilage groups to meet regularly. It seeks to utilize such meetings as a way to better develop its community of lawyers and provide its members with a forum to learn from one another.
Brock-Cooper Inn Rolling Emeritus Program for Masters
At this time, Master status in the Justices Ray L. Brock Jr. - Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court has lifetime duration. This is meant to honor the member and recognize his/her role in our profession. We have been fortunate to receive/retain many Masters of our Inn. However, the Inn recognizes that Masters often have multiple responsibilities and may need to take a sabbatical from time to time. Also, the Inn recognizes the importance of inducting new members of Master status.
Therefore, the Inn has created a Rolling Emeritus Program for Masters. Each year, the Inn will ask for volunteers to roll-off for the year. During this year, you will retain Emeritus status and have dues that are limited to cover your national dues and the holiday/business meetings. Your attendance will be requested at the end of the year business meeting for voting and election purposes. The purpose of this program is to allow Masters the ability to remain active in the Inn, but add flexibility to accommodate new members and ever-demanding schedules.
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