George C. Young American Inn of Court Membership Information
The George C. Young American Inn of Court has a yearly membership of approximately 120 to 130 members. These members are divided into five classifications:
- Benchers - consisting of Lawyers serving in the State or Federal Judiciary as a Justice, Judge, Magistrate or Judicial Hearing Officer.
- Masters - consisting of practicing Lawyers with at least 16 years of experience or lawyers serving as a law professor.
- Barristers - consisting of practicing lawyers with 5 to 15 years of experience.
- Associates - consisting of practicing lawyers with 5 or less years of experience.
- Pupils - consisting of 2nd or 3rd year law students.
The Inn members are drawn from throughout the Central Florida area. Membership is open to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national opinion, or handicap. The intent of this Inn is to reflect the rich diversity of the bench and bar in its members. Inn members come from all areas of practice, civil and criminal; large and small firms; sole practitioners; law professors; Appellate Judges; State and Federal Trial Judges and Magistrates and Hearing Officers.
Benchers and Masters are permanent members of the Inn, serving at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Barristers serve 3 terms and Associates serve 2 year terms. Pupils serve 1 year terms during their 2nd or 3rd year of law school.
Nominations for new members in each of the membership categories are solicited each year from the Inn's active members. New members are required to be sponsored by an existing member. The membership committee then reviews all applications and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors, which votes on the application.
The Inn requests Barry University and FAMU to recommend students in their 2nd and 3rd years for membership in the Inn who, by their academic performances and participation in extra-curricular activities, have demonstrated an active interest in the ethical and professional practice of law.