Horace Rumpole Inn of Court
The Inn has achieved Silver status for its achievements and participation in the American Inns of Court programs.
History
The Horace Rumpole Inn of Court was founded in 1990. Its founding was sparked by a presentation to the Board of the Maricopa County Bar Association Young Lawyers' Division in early 1990 by Senior Judge A. Sherman Christensen, who had founded the first American Inns of Court chapter in the Provo/Salt Lake City, Utah, area in the early 1980's. Then-Young Lawyers Division Board Member Lisa Daniel Flores (now a Superior Court Judge) took a keen interest and, together with Cari Lowrance Harrison (also now Superior Court Judge), immediately began efforts to form an Inn. Recruitment of Judges Barry Schneider, Rebecca Albrecht, Frederick Martone, Colin Campbell, then-Commissioner Barbara Rodriguez (now retired Superior Court Judge Barbara Mundell), and lawyers Michael Hawkins (now a retired Justice of the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals) and David Tierney soon followed. With seed money from the Young Lawyers' Division, they recruited other judges and lawyers. The masters, barristers, pupils, and law students who joined these founding members met for the first time at an introductory cocktail party in early 1991.
American Inns of Court are permitted to have a specialized focus. Over the years, programs of the Horace Rumpole Inn of Court have emphasized civil and criminal litigation, and its members have come primarily from the ranks of the local civil and criminal litigation bar. At the same time, the Inn has stressed collegiality, humor, and diversity in its programming and social events.
As one of its first official acts, the Inn adopted the name Horace Rumpole Inn of Court in honor of the fictional English barrister of the same name. This moniker reflects Inn members' admiration for sterling advocacy with a measure of good humor.
Emeritus Members
Based on their long and distinguished service to the bench and bar, as well as their longstanding support of the Inn, the Horace Rumpole Inn of Court has voted Emeritus status for two members: Hon. Donn Kessler (Ret.), and Hon. Barry Schneider (Ret.)
Meeting Locations
The Inn usually meets at the Phoenix University Club (39 E. Monte Vista Road, Phoenix, Arizona).
The Inn also participates annually in a joint meeting with other Phoenix-area Inns of Court. This meeting is usually held at the Sandra Day O'Connor Federal Courthouse (401 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona).
Meeting Dates and Times and RSVP Procedures
Meetings open between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. for socializing. Dinner is served between 5:45 and 6:15. Announcements, business, and the evening's program typically run from 6:15 to 7:30.
Members will receive an e-mail invitation approximately two weeks before each meeting. Members are asked to RSVP using the link in the e-mail whether they will or will not be attending the meeting by the Monday before the meeting so that we can provide an estimated headcount. If you plan to bring a guest, please indicate your guest when you RSVP. Guests are charged at a rate of $40 due at the meeting. Members are also asked to sign in at the beginning of each meeting so that the Inn has a record of attendance.
CLE & COJET Credit for Meeting Attendance
CLE certificates and the forms required to obtain COJET credit are provided at the end of each meeting.
Helpful Links
TOPs Awards
TOPs Award Program Overview
TOPs Award Nomination form - Award for Non-Inn Members
TOPs Award Nomination form - Award for Inn Members
2024 Membership Handbook
2024-2025 Pupillage assignments
Horace Rumpole American Inn of Court Charter - Last modified October 31, 2006
Horace Rumple 2023 Bylaw Amendments
Members can ask to join our discussion groups: