The Howell Edmonds Jackson AIC will have such number of active members as the Masters may decide from time to time. The categories of Members shall be divided into four classifications: (i) Masters of the Bench (“Masters") are lawyers  with eighteen or more years of experience and judges; (ii) Barristers are lawyers and judges with from eight to eighteen years of experience; (iii) Associates are lawyers with less than eight years of experience; and (iv) Students are law students who are in their final year of law school.

The Inn's members are primarily drawn from Madison County, but may include members from any county in Tennessee. Membership is open to all qualified persons, regardless of race,  color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or handicap. Thus, the Howell Edmonds Jackson AIC reflects the rich  diversity of the bench and bar in Madison County Tennessee and includes representatives of the plaintiffs' bar, defense counsel, solo practitioners, government lawyers, corporate counsel, persons working in large and small firms, and federal, state, and local trial and appellate judges. Efforts are made to ensure that no law firm or type of practice is disproportionately represented.

Masters serve five-year terms. Masters may serve more than one term or may choose emeritus membership. The first class of Barristers serve a staggered term of two, three, four, and five-year terms. Thereafter Barristers serve a term of five­ years. Barristers may serve more than one term.  The first class of Associates serve two and three-year terms. Thereafter, Associates serve a two-year term. Associates may serve only one term.  Students are members  of the  Inn  during their final year of law school.

Members are eligible for re-election to the Inn as long as there has been at least a one-year hiatus between their terms. Members are not permitted to change their membership classification during their term but may be placed in a different classification if they are re-elected to the Inn.

In addition to the active members, the Inn extends emeritus memberships to Masters who have completed their full five-year term of membership in good standing. Emeritus members may participate in the Inn's educational and social programs at their own expense.