Section 1.  Purpose.

The purposes of The Thomas More Loyola Law School American Inn of Court are set forth in its Organizational Charter issued by the American Inns of Court Foundation.

Section 2. Principal Location.

The Thomas More Loyola Law School American Inn of Court shall be located in the city of New Orleans, Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana.

Section 1.  The Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is composed of the officers and the chairs of the various committees formed by the Executive Committee and such other members as are determined by the Masters. The duties of the Executive Committee, and its members, are set forth in the Organizational Charter, and as set forth herein.

Section 2. The Officers. 

The officers of the Inn shall be a president, a vice-president (counselor), a secretary/treasurer or secretary and treasurer, and such other officers as the Masters deem necessary. The officers serve a two year term, or as otherwise directed by the Masters, and may succeed themselves only once. The officers are selected by the Masters in accordance with the Organizational Charter of the Inn.

Section 3. Committees. 

The Executive Committee may establish standing and ad hoc committees from time to time from among the active members of the Inn, and from time to time may change or discontinue committees.

The standing committees may include, for example: Membership Committee, Program Committee, Social Committee, Reporting Committee, Diversity Committee and Outreach Committee.

 Among such other duties as may be assigned by the Masters and the Executive Committee, the duties of each committee shall be as follows:

Membership Committee-The Membership Committee shall solicit and review applications and make recommendations to the Executive Committee, for membership in the Inn; shall maintain records of attendance and oversee attendance in accordance with Article IV. Section 2 of these Bylaws; and, shall assign members to Pupillage groups.

Program Committee-The Program Committee shall oversee and approve program topics, and shall be responsible for submitting programs for Continuing Legal Education credit.

Social Committee-The Social Committee shall be responsible for scheduling, arranging and collecting monies for approved social functions of the Inn within the parameters as set forth by the Executive Committee.

Reporting Committee-The Reporting Committee shall be responsible for the distribution of news, announcements, and other information among members of the Inn, and to the American Inns of Court Foundation; shall be responsible for submitting program reports to the American Inns of Court Foundation; and, shall prepare articles for the Bencher.

Diversity Committee-The Diversity Committee shall work the other standing committees to formulate and propose diversity goals for the Inn, develop and implement practices that promote diversity.

Outreach Committee-The Outreach Committee is responsible for extending the mission of the American Inns of Court by providing exposure to the broader community and offering opportunities for Inn members to represent the ideals of the American Inns of Court.

The officers shall appoint committee members and chairs of the committees, who shall serve two year terms, or as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee, and may succeed themselves only once.

Committees may create ad hoc sub-committees, as appropriate.

Section 4.  Pupillage Groups. 

All active members will be assigned to a Pupillage Group by the Membership Committee and shall be approved by the Executive Committee. Each Pupillage Group shall be chaired by a Master appointed by the Executive Committee. The Masters and Pupillage Groups shall be reassigned every two years.

Section 1. Active Members. 

There are four classifications of members in an American Inn of Court, as defined in the bylaws of the American Inns of Court Foundation, and as set forth below:

• Masters of the Bench-consisting of lawyers with at least 10 years of experience, judges, and law professors;
• Barristers-consisting of lawyers with at least five years of experience;
• Associates-consisting of lawyers with zero to five years of experience; and,
• Pupils-consisting of law students.

Membership in this American Inn of Court shall consist of Masters, Barristers, and Associates.  Pupils may participate in all activities of the Inn, but will not be voting members.

Membership may be terminated upon good cause, as determined by the Executive Committee. 

Section 2. Inactive Members.

The Executive Committee may confer Emeritus and Honorary memberships as set forth in the Organizational Charter.

Section 1. Meetings.

Meetings shall be held at least six times per year at such times as the Executive Committee may determine.  The Inn shall endeavor to have at least one social event per year wherein members may invite guests and shall endeavor to participate in the joint meeting of the New Orleans area Inns of Court.

Section 2. Attendance.

Each active member shall attend fifty percent (50%) of meetings in a year. The Membership Committee shall monitor attendance at meetings and shall submit the names of those who do not meet with fifty percent (50%) standard to the Executive Committee. The non-participating member will be contacted by the Membership Chair in order to determine if he/she wishes to remain in this American Inn of Court, and in the event another absence occurs, this member may be dropped from the rolls and all dues will be forfeited.

Section 1. Masters.

With the exception of Emeritus and Honorary Masters, each Master shall be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to the Masters. A majority of the Masters present and voting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act done or decision made by a majority of the Masters in attendance at a meeting shall be regarded as the act of all the Masters.

Section 2. Executive Committee.

Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to the Committee. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the deciding vote. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act done or decision made by a majority of the members in attendance at the meeting called for that purpose shall be regarded as the act of the entire Committee.

Section 3. Elections. 

The nomination and election of the President and Vice-President (Counselor) will occur in every odd-numbered year during the months of May or June at a meeting of the active Masters especially called for that purpose. Election of these and the selection of other officers shall be in accordance with the Organizational Charter. Selection of other officers shall also occur in every odd-numbered year at a meeting especially called for that purpose.

Section 4. Vacancies. 

When a position as an officer, committee chair or master chair becomes vacant, the procedures for election and selection of officers and chairs shall be followed when the vacancy occurs; however, the duration of the vacant position shall not be counted against the new officer or chair in regards to any maximum term of service.

Section 1. Fiscal Year. 

The fiscal year of The Thomas More Loyola Law School American Inn of Court shall be the same as the fiscal year of the American Inns of Court Foundation, which is from July 1 to June 30 of each year.

Section 2. Dues.  

Dues shall be in an amount consistent with the Organizational Charter and shall be levied by the Treasurer during the month of September of each year. Failure to pay assessments and dues prior to October 15 and after reasonable notice may be considered by the Executive Committee as grounds to terminate membership of the person in default.

Section 3. Expenses. 

This American Inn of Court shall pay all reasonable expenses incurred by members of the Executive Committee for such things as attendance at state, regional or national events of the American Inns of Court Foundation and payment to an administrator.

Section 1. Adoption. 

These Bylaws will be adopted by this American Inn of Court upon approval by a majority of the Masters of this American Inn of Court and after being submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Board of Trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation. The Masters may make valid decisions by voting by mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or other means when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 2. Amendments. 

Amendments to these Bylaws may be made by a majority of the Masters of this American Inn of Court and must be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Board of Trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation. The Masters may make valid decisions by voting by mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or other means when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or the President.

 *updated June 8, 2015.