Home History About Application Process Assignments Awards Related Links Presentations Past Presidents     & Board Members Member Login About the Kennedy Inn The Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court was established in 1988 by then Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Anthony M. Kennedy, United States District Court Judge Milton L. Schwartz, and University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law Dean Gordon D. Schaber. The Kennedy Inn was founded to offer a forum where younger and seasoned attorneys or judges could meet to discuss ethical issues relating to the practice of law. The Kennedy Inn became the 48th American Inn of Court, in a movement that has now grown to over 375 Inns nationwide. Kennedy Inn members are divided into eight teams that represent a cross section of Sacramento's legal community. Each team includes at least one judge, two senior attorneys, two mid-career attorneys, two relatively new attorneys and one or two law students. Each team is responsible for presenting an educational program to the other Inn members and invited guests. The program is developed at monthly luncheon or breakfast meetings with the team members. The final program generally includes "skits" that are followed by an open discussion in which all Inn members are encouraged to participate. The discussion is facilitated by the team's program moderator who ensures that all members are heard. The Inn meets on a monthly basis from September through November, and from January through May, at McGeorge School of Law. After a catered dinner, the monthly brief business meeting and 90 minute substantive program are held in the courtroom of the law school's Center for Legal Advocacy. The Kennedy Inn and its members have earned an outstanding national reputation. For example, over the past ten years, the Inn's programs have repeatedly placed in the national organization's top ten list for Outstanding Programs. The Inn has won at least one program award every time it has submitted a program entry for consideration. In 2002 and 2004, the Inn's programs were awarded First Place in the nation. Also in 2002, Joe Ramsey won the William B. Enright Ethics and Civility Award, and, lifetime honorary member, United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy received the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics. Recently, Ann Taylor Schwing won the 2004 American Inns of Court Ninth Circuit Professionalism Award. Team Format 2 Student Associates 2 Associates 2 Barristers 2 Attorney Masters 1 Judge Master Students Associates are third year law students from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Student Associates are invited to participate in the Inn based on leadership qualities, on- and off-campus activities, and general interests. Student associates serve a term of one year. Associates are recent law school graduates or recently admitted lawyers in their early years of practice. Attorney associates serve staggered two year terms. Barristers are experienced litigation attorneys that are considered to be in the mid-level of their career. Barristers serve staggered terms of three years. Masters of the Bench (a.k.a. Masters or Benchers) are seasoned judges, attorneys and law professors of demonstrated superior character, ability and excellence in litigation and in the legal profession. Masters serve indefinite terms, subject to the discretion of the Executive Committee. "Cameo" Team Members The following Inn members are not specifically assigned to a particular team but may be invited by any team to make a special cameo appearance. Emeritus Members are masters who have resigned from active membership in the Inn but who wish to maintain an ongoing relationship with the Inn. Honorary Members may be designated by the Executive Committee. United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Judge Milton L. Schwartz, and the Dean of McGeorge School of Law are Honorary Members and are invited to attend all Inn activities. Observer Members are judges, professors and attorneys selected by the Executive Committee to participate in activities of the Inn for one year terms as observers.