The George C. Young American Inn of Court is proud to announce it has again earned the Achieving Excellence “Platinum” designation – the highest level of recognition for the American Inns of Court “Achieving Excellence” program – a tiered achievement-based program that recognizes an Inn's progress toward mastering effective practices in each of the five core competencies of Inn management: Administration, Communications, Program Development, Mentoring and Outreach Activities. The George C. Young American Inn of Court has achieved this status every year since the 2011-2012 Inn year.

About Judge George C. Young 

Thomas Jefferson believed that "judges should always be men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness and attention; their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man or body of men."

 
In honor of such a judge, the First Central Florida American Inn of Court, chartered in September, 1990, renamed itself to be known as The George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court.  Most recently, the Inn is now named The George C. Young American Inn of Court.

Judge Young's long and steadfast commitment to the ideals of the American Inns of Court, professionalism, civility and excellence in the practice of law, began in 1941.  After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts and Law Degrees from the University of Florida, he entered private practice in Winter Haven, Florida.  From 1942 to 1946 he served honorably as a United States Navy lieutenant during World War II.  Judge Young then re-entered private practice in Miami until 1948 when United States Senator George Smathers tapped his talents as his administrative assistant until 1951.

Thereafter, Judge Young again worked in private practice in Jacksonville until 1961 at which time President John F. Kennedy nominated him for appointment to the Northern and Southern Districts of Florida. In 1966 Judge Young became the only judge to serve on all three of Florida's Federal District Courts after President Lyndon B. Johnson selected him to serve in the newly created Middle District of Florida.  He served as chief judge from 1973 to 1981 when he took senior status.  On October 23, 1992, in recognition of his stellar service as a jurist, President George H.W. Bush signed legislation naming the Courthouse the George C. Young United States Courthouse and Federal Building.  Never one to rest, Judge Young continued to maintain a docket until December, 2004, although he still assisted fellow judges concerning administrative decisions affecting the court.  Judge Young stayed vitally interested in our Inn's accomplishments and programs until his death in 2015.

Message From The President

            Welcome to the George C. Young American Inn of Court.  We are part of the American Inns of Court and share its mission to “advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring.”  We are one Inn among more than 400 chartered Inns, organized in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Tokyo, serving some 30,000 members.  Each Inn shares a common vision of a “legal profession and judiciary dedicated to professionalism, ethics, civility and excellence.” 

            Our Inn was founded in 1990 and has flourished since then.  We owe much to our founding members and especially to The Honorable George C. Young, our Inn’s namesake.    Our members come from all areas of practice and include some of the best and most respected lawyers and judges in the state. 

            One of the primary purposes of our Inn is to provide opportunities for aspiring young lawyers to learn from judges and experienced lawyers in a social setting.  One way that we do that is through our monthly meetings.  Each year, members are divided into pupillage groups, with each group consisting of members with different levels of experience.  Each pupillage group is responsible for conducting a program at one of the monthly meetings.  The topics of the programs vary, but usually focus on ethical considerations, civility, and excellence in practice.  Each monthly meeting includes a social hour, followed by dinner and the program.   This format is an excellent way for the members of the Inn to learn from one another.

            In addition to our monthly programs, Inn members participate in community-based projects.  Over the years, our community-based projects have focused on a variety of topics, including domestic violence and elder law.  In 2014, our Inn received the Best Special Project Award for our mock trial program at Howard Middle School. 

            Our Inn is regularly recognized as an one of the elite Inns in the country.  Every year, the American Inns of Court identifies those Inns that have excelled in promoting a culture of professionalism, ethics, civility and skill in the legal and public community.  The highest level of distinction is the Platinum level.  To reach that level, an Inn must master effective practices in each of the five core competencies of Inn management: Administration, Communications, Program Development, Mentoring and Outreach Activities.  I am pleased to report that our Inn has been awarded Platinum Status every year since 2011.

            I am honored to serve as President of the Inn, and I look forward to another great year!

                                                            Roger B. Handberg

                                                            President, 2021-23