INN GOVERNANCE

Governance of this Chapter is entrusted to the Executive Board. The Board includes the president, president-elect, counselor, secretary/treasurer, counselor emeritus, ex officio members, the program chair, and Barrister and Associate representatives. The elected members of the Board are the president and president-elect, who should be Masters; the counselor, who must be a member of the judiciary; and the secretary/treasurer. These officers serve a two-year term and are eligible to serve successive terms. Officers are nominated by the Nominating Committee, which is comprised of Masters in the Chapter.

Elections are held every two years in conjunction with the beginning of the program year. The president, president-elect and counselor are elected by a majority of the Masters, and the secretary/treasurer is elected by a majority of the entire membership.

The program chair is appointed by the Board and serves a two-year term. Members of the Program Committee are recruited from all membership levels and serve a one-year term.

The Barrister and Associate representatives are appointed by the Board and serve atwo-year term. Any Barrister and Associate are eligible to receive such an appointment and should advise the Chapter President of his or her interest in serving.

MEMBERSHIP

The active membership of this Chapter is divided into three classifications. Masters include senior lawyers with a minimum of ten years of litigation experience and federal and state judges, all of whom have committed to participate actively for at least three years and may serve for an indefinite term. Barristers are attorneys who have a minimum of five to ten or more years of litigation experience. They commit to participating for a two- to-three-year term and are selected  through an application process. Associates are attorneys who have less than five years of litigation  experience. They commit to participating for a two-year term and are also selected through an application process. Members are eligible for re-election to this Chapter following a two-year hiatus or may choose to join another local Inn chapter.

In addition to the active members, this Chapter extends "honorary" status to Masters who have completed their full term of membership in good standing or who have requested a sabbatical because of heavy litigation or other commitments. Honorary Masters are assigned to a pupillage group and encouraged to participate in that group's educational program development and presentation. Many Honorary Masters regularly attend our monthly meetings, although they are not required to do so. Law School Students are also welcome to join.

Membership is open to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability. This Chapter's members are drawn primarily from Western Pennsylvania and Allegheny County in particular. This Chapter's membership reflects the rich diversity of the bench and bar in this area and includes counsel for plaintiffs and defendants, civil and criminal attorneys, state and federal court practitioners and judges, trial and appellate counsel and judges, solo practitioners, government attorneys, corporate counsel, law professors, and counsel practicing with small, medium and large firms.

SELECTION OF MEMBERS

The Executive Committee extends invitations for membership each summer. In extending invitations to renew membership, the Committee considers the participation and attendance of  members. Vacancies are filled by vote of the Committee based on the needs of the Chapter.

This Chapter seeks applicants for membership through nomination from current members as well as by advertising in local legal journals. The Chapter strives to identify persons who have a demonstrated interest in developing their own professional skills and in improving the quality of litigation in our legal community. The Chapter favors making the Inn experience available to as many lawyers as possible. Former members of the Chapter may re-apply after a two-year hiatus; however, new applicants will generally be given priority.

Membership Application [pdf] [doc]