The Honorable Susan H. Black - 2023 Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics

This award is given each year to recognize a person who has rendered exemplary service to the legal profession in the areas of professionalism, civility and ethics. 

 

The Honorable Susan H. Black - 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award

The American Inns of Court selected Judge Black as the recipient of the 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Eleventh Circuit.  Judge Black served as President of the Inn from 1985 - 1988 and 1991 - 1993.  Judge Black also served on the Judicial Conference committee that founded the American Inns of Court, and she was one of the original seven Trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation.  

 

 

 

 

April 21, 2022 - Judge Paul "Bill" Glenn Scholarship

The Executive Committee selected Michael Stanski to represent the Chester Bedell Inn at the American Inns of Court Leadership Summit on May 13, 2022, in Tampa, Florida.  The scholarship will assist with paying Mr. Stanski to accompany Inn leaders to the Summit.

 

2020-2021 - Group Two Wins Award

Group Two won an Outstanding Program Award from the American Inns of Court Program Awards Committee for their reenactment of the trial of Susan B. Anthony in October of 2020. This is the first time a program from our Inn has won this award. Congratulations!

 

Corinne "Cory" Hodak

In the summer of 2016, then-incoming Inn President Judge Barksdale asked the backbone of our Inn, Corinne “Cory” Hodak, to serve one more year as Counselor, beyond the normal two year term. As usual, Cory rose to the occasion, giving Counselor-Elect Mike Prendergast the opportunity to learn the role from the best, and as expected, Cory gave Judge Barksdale the dependable support she needed. For the three years Cory served as Counselor, she went above and beyond—ensuring our Inn ran smoothly, group programs were well planned and of high quality, and nothing fell through the cracks. The year 2016 was particularly challenging with the hosting of the Pegasus Scholars and the regional joint meeting that included nearly 300 attendees from seven regional Inns. While these events were team efforts, Cory actively ensured both events were a complete success. At the end of the year, our Executive Committee wanted to honor Cory’s outstanding service to the Inn beyond a plaque and a thank you. Thus, Cory became the first recipient of the Michael J. Dewberry Award for Outstanding Service to the Inn. This award was created to honor exceptional members like Cory, and fittingly named after the late Mike Dewberry, a much beloved member of our Inn, who also gave outstanding service for decades before his untimely death. For Cory, this was particularly meaningful since Mike had been a good friend and they had worked side-by-side when he was Treasurer and she was Counselor. This award is not intended to be an annual award, but instead will be given when a member is truly outstanding in his or her service, commitment, and passion for the Inn and its mission. This award was presented to a very surprised and touched Cory at our annual meeting on April 13, 2017.

 

The Honorable Paul "Bill" M. Glenn

The second recipient of the Dewberry Award was the Honorable Paul M. Glenn, also known as Bill Glenn, but mostly known as “our Judge Glenn.” Judge Glenn demonstrated his dedication to the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court by serving on the Executive Committee for more than a decade, and serving as its President. He transformed our Inn such that we achieved Platinum status for the first time during his tenure as President and have continued in that status since. Judge Glenn served an American Inns of Court in Tampa, Florida, as President, and with distinction on the American Inns Board of Trustees. He received the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. His service to the American Inns of Court was so notable that he had been nominated twice for the American Inns of Court A. Sherman Christensen award, bestowed upon a member who, at the local, state, or national level has provided distinguished, exceptional and significant leadership to the American Inns of Court movement. For each nomination, he received high praise from many illustrious members of the judiciary, bar, and leaders of the Inns. Judge Glenn was presented with his award on April 11, 2019. 

 

Scott S. Cairns

The third recipient of the Dewberry Award was Scott Cairns.  Scott has been a member of the Inn since at least 2003 and devoted years to serving as our treasurer—so many years that we had a hard time tracking down when he started.  As treasurer, Scott had a knack for keeping the Inn funded and in budget without rejecting or discouraging new ideas or projects.  Instead, he always found a way to say yes to an idea that would enrich the experience of the members of the Inn. Unwilling to delay the award again despite the continuation of virtual meetings, Scott was surprised by Judge Howard, Judge Barksdale, and Cory Hodak at a socially distant and masked gathering on Judge Howard’s patio on March 27, 2021, which was videotaped and played during the virtual annual meeting.

 

Henry "Hank" Coxe

In November 2016, Inn Treasurer/Secretary and Master Scott Cairns and his wife Debbie attended the American Inns of Court Achieving Excellence Celebration at the United States Supreme Court. This event was particularly special that year because, in addition to Platinum Status recognition, Inn Emeritus member Henry “Hank” Coxe, III, was honored at the ceremony with the 2016 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Coxe embodies everything the American Inns of Court stands for, which is only fitting as a director in the firm of Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe, P.A. after whose founder our Inn is named. He is especially passionate about mentoring young lawyers, and his passion incentivized our Inn to restructure our mentoring program and extend it beyond the members of our Inn. In 2021, Hank was honored again by the American Inns of Court Foundation’s Governance and Board Development Committee which nominated him for election to the American Inns of Court Board of Trustees. The election was held in April 2021 and he was enthusiastically supported by the Bedell Inn’s members.

 

Buddy Schultz

The Judge Paul "Bill" Glenn Professionalism Award recognizes a lawyer or judge whose life and practice displays sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law. Another delayed honoree, Buddy Schultz, was surprised at a car dealership by Hank Coxe, who, with his typical dry humor, presented Buddy with the award. A video of this presentation was played at the annual banquet.

 

2015 - Historic Preservation Award

In 2015, the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court was awarded the Historic Preservation Award from the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission for the Magna Carta Exhibit.