About the Barbara Jordan Inn
Barbara Charline Jordan (February 21, 1936 - January 17, 1996) was a lawyer, educator, an American politician, and a leader of the Civil Rights movement. A Democrat, she was the first African-American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction, the first Southern black female elected to the United States House of Representatives, the first known lesbian woman elected to the United States Congress (though this was not known to the public during her tenure), and the first African-American woman to deliver a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among numerous other honors. She was a member of the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors from 1978 to 1980. On her death, she became the first African-American woman to be buried in the Texas State Cemetery.
Barbara Jordan was chosen as the namesake of this Inn because she was a legendary pioneer in civil rights for women and minorities, and broke many barriers during her career. She was also a teacher and mentor to her students, from the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to the LBJ School of Public Affairs. In much the same way, her namesake Inn focuses on members who have not had the Inn experience before--criminal law, family law, immigration law, women, attorneys of color, solo/ small firm, LGBTQ, etc.
Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Inn Meeting Schedule
- September 12, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. orientation
- October 10, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue
- November 7, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue (1st Tuesday of the month)
- December 6, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue (note: Wednesday)
- January 9, 2024 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue
- February 13, 2024 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue
- March 12, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue
- April 9, 2023 -- 5:30 p.m. Chateau Bellevue
2023-2024 Committee Members
- Executive Committee
- President - Mark Pierce
- President-Elect - Melissa Hargis
- Treasurer - Brittani Miller
- Counselor - The Honorable Jeff Boyd
- Immediate Past President - The Honorable Clifford Brown
- Judicial Mentor: The Honorable Maya Guerra Gamble
- UT Law Liaison - Chris Roberts
- Administrator - Jeanette Ybarra
- Webmasters - Drew Harris & Jasmine Avery
- Chair Members
- Membership Chair - Pam Deitchle
- Programs Co-Chairs - Gene Anthes & Robyn Hargrove
- Mentorship Co-Chair - Kelli Fuqua & Jordan Garsson
- Social Chair - Bradley Hargis
- Achieving Excellence Chair - Laura Goettsche
- Community Outreach Chair - Armin Salek
Team Presentations
The Barbara Jordan Inn meets once a month to watch group presentations by its members for CLE credit. Here are upcoming presentation topics:
- October 10, 2023: Gun Point Cases. A Trial Study/Self Defense/Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground
- November 7, 2023: AI and the Law
- December 6, 2023: Prisoner Rights and Incarceration Issues
- January 9, 2024: Issues Related to LGBTQIA
- February 13, 2024: Copyright Law: A Fair-Use Musical Parody on the Present State of the Law
- March 12, 2024: Know Your Rights: What Are Your Civil Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement
- April 9, 2024: Media and its Influence on Legislation, Trial Outcomes, and Juries
Social outings
Inn teams are encouraged to get together for social events outside of preparing for CLE presentations.
Arianna Smith, the Honorable Nancy Hohengarten, Gene Anthes and Jacqueline Odum of Team 6 blowing off steam at Urban Axes Austin.
In the Press
Our April 2022 Inn social event at Bouldin Acres was covered in The Bencher magazine.
The Bencher also recognized several members of the Barbara Jordan Inn of Court for their volunteer work with the Community First Village. We are proud of our members' service!
Inn Documents
Charter Presentation
We were fortunate to have the Honorable Justice Carl E. Stewart of the 5th Court of Appeals, and President of the National American Inn of Court join us on April 14, 2016 to formally present our charter.
Left to Right: President-Elect Honorable Sherry Statman, President Frank King, Honorable Justice Carl E. Stewart, Counselor Honorable Jeff Boyd
Left to right: Counselor Honorable Jeff Boyd, President Frank King, National Inn President Honorable Justice Carl E. Stewart, Inn Founder and Advisor Dirk Jordan, Honorable Lee Yeakel
Sponsors
We are very appreciative of our 2023-2024 sponsors, Gunter, Bennett & Anthes, DC Law, and Scott, Douglass & McConnico, LLP!
