History of the William L. Gordon Inn of Court
On October 27, 1995 the American Inns of Court Foundation
awarded organizational charter number 275 to the Santa Barbara
American Inn of Court. The genesis of the Santa Barbara Inn
came from the experience of David Hughes, Judge Denise de
Bellefeuille and Judge Jim Herman in 1992 in London during the
California State Bar's "Legal Week in London".
Through the efforts of Mr. Hughes, Judges Ruggerio Aldisert,
Frank Ochoa, de Bellefeuille and Herman and with the assistance of
Ken Moes, Desmond O'Neill, Nancy Sieh, Dean Donald Bright and Judge
George Eskin, the Inn took shape. However its future was
assured when Judge William L. Gordon came into the Inn and Yvonne
French became the administrator.
At first the Inn was comprised of 80 members who were:
- Masters of the Bench - Judicial
Officers, teachers of the law or practicing attorneys with more
than 15 years of experience
- Barristers - Lawyers with 5-15 years of
experience
- Associates - Lawyers with 5 or less years of
experience
The first general meeting was held at Harry's Restaurant on
September 18, 1996. It moved to the University Club in March of
1997 as the continuing legal education programs became more
elaborate. The meetings continue there up to the present
time.
On April 5, 2000, the Santa Barbara Inn of Court was renamed the
William L. Gordon Inn of Court in honor of the driving spirit of
the former Santa Barbara Inn of Court.
In 2001, Mary Carralejo replaced Yvonne French as the
administrator. In September 2006, Jill Sadler the present
administrator replaced Mary Carralejo.
William L. Gordon Inn Schedule
The William L. Gordon Inn of Court meets on the first Wednesday
of every month, February through November. The Inn is dark December
and January.
William L. Gordon Inn Meeting Location
University Club
1332 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101