Tampa Bay Inn of Court Membership Categories
Masters/Judges and
Masters/Lawyers
Also known as "Benchers" or "Masters" are appellate and trial
judges, both federal and state, as well as experienced trial and
appellate lawyers of demonstrated superior character, ability and
litigating competence. The term of service of a Master is
indefinite, though for long-term continuity, three to five years
should be considered the minimum.
Barristers
Lawyers who have had some litigating experience are usually
Barristers. Tampa Bay Inn of Court Barristers usually have between
five to fifteen years of litigating experience as their guide.
Barristers usually serve three year staggered terms.
Associates
Lawyers who are new to the profession and do not reach the minimum
qualifications for Barrister.
Pupils
Law school student participants are Pupils. Pupils usually serve
one year terms.
Masters Emeritus
In addition to the membership, a Master Emeritus may be elected by
a two-thirds vote of the Masters in attendance at a special meeting
called for that purpose. To be nominated as a Master Emeritus, a
member must have rendered distinguished service to the bench, bar,
and this Inn and have served as a Master in this Inn for at least
three years. An exception may be made for a master entering the
judiciary away fro from the Tampa Bay area.
Tampa Bay Inn of Court Dues
Annual dues are required to be paid in full before the first
meeting of the year in September. Persons requesting additional
time to pay dues must send a letter to the Executive Committee
requesting deferment and/or financial assistance. Written requests
for deferment will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Requests
for scholarships or reduction in dues based on financial hardship
will be evaluated by the Executive Committee on a case by case
basis and will be determined by demonstrated need and available
resources.
Master Annual Dues: $470.00
Barrister Annual Dues: $360.00
Bencher Annual Dues: $250.00
Associate Annual Dues:
$250.00
Pupil Annual dues: $140.00
The Tampa Bay Inn of Court
Members in the Tampa Bay Inn of Court must be attorneys who
practice in the Tampa Bay area, judges of courts serving this area,
or law professors and law students from Stetson University College
of Law. Membership is open to all qualified persons, regardless of
race, color, sex, age, religion, or national origin. The Inn
aspires to reflect a cross section of the legal profession and the
judiciary so that no law firm or specialty is disproportionately
represented.
Invitations to Membership in the Tampa Bay Inn of
Court
The Executive Committee extends invitations for membership each
summer. In extending invitations to renew membership, the Executive
Committee considers the participation and attendance of members.
Vacancies are filled by vote of the Executive Committee based upon
the needs of the Inn. The Counselor customarily invites new members
on behalf of the Inn. Those seeking membership are invited to apply
by sending a letter to the Counselor. If no vacancies exist for a
qualified applicant, the applicant's name will be placed on a
waiting list.
Tampa Bay Inn of Court Pupillage Groups
The Inn is organized annually into pupilage groups, a
structure basic to the English Inns of Court. Each group is usually
composed of one Master/Judge and two or more Masters/Lawyers,
Barristers, Associates and Pupils. Currently, the Executive
Committee creates nine pupilage groups, with one or more groups
responsible for presenting a program lasting no more than one hour
at each monthly meeting.