What a wonderful weekend! 

The American Inns of Court hosted the 2024 Inns of Distinction Gala on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the U.S. Supreme Court, and I attended on behalf of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court in Jacksonville, Florida. 

The Inns of Distinction Gala recognizes high-performing American Inns of Court from across the United States that achieved excellence in Inn management and programming. All the Inns represented at the Gala had achieved Platinum distinction in the 2023-24 Inn year. The event celebrates accomplishments in advancing professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence in the legal community through exemplary Inn programming and meaningful member engagement.

Starting the Weekend with a Lively Breakfast and a Tour of D.C.

Saturday morning, the American Inns of Court hosted a breakfast where all attendees got to meet each other and discuss topics ranging from attracting young lawyers to join their Inns to handling AI in the practice of law. 

I sat at a table with lawyers from Texas, Alabama, and Kentucky. These lawyers practiced in the areas of bankruptcy, intellectual property, education, commercial litigation, and family law. We compared different programs offered by our Inns, talked about the administrative infrastructure of each Inn, and exchanged personal stories.

We had Saturday afternoon off to explore Washington, D.C., so I toured the U.S. Botanic Garden near the U.S. Capitol along with my sister, Jane. We enjoyed all the different flowers, trees, bushes, birds, bees, and rabbits that live there. I also learned about the history of agriculture in the U.S., plus the different varieties of plants used for food throughout the world.

Inns of Court Gala: A Gorgeous, Delicious Time at the U.S. Supreme Court

In the evening, we gathered in the entrance hall of the U.S. Supreme Court, where the huge statue of Chief Justice John Marshall presides over the entire hall. We were served fresh ice water and posed for photos on the grand staircase. All the attendees were dressed in either tuxedos with black ties or in beautiful ball gowns. Everyone looked magnificent!

We then enjoyed a cocktail reception in the East and West Conference rooms that contained huge portraits of former U.S. Justices on every wall. After, we were escorted into the Great Hall, where every table was immaculately decorated with beautiful floral centerpieces, plus complete place settings of China plates, crystal, and silverware. 

I was seated at a table with lawyers and judges from New York, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. We enjoyed getting to know each other and discussing the different areas of law in which we practice, plus fun facts about our lives.

For dinner, we were served everything from a salad of melon balls, tomatoes with goat cheese and corn flan to a beef tenderloin with mustard pommes puree, roasted fennel, and smoked garlic jus. The dessert was guava cheesecake and guava ice cream. 

This was the first time I ever tasted goat cheese and corn flan, as well as guava cheesecake and guava ice cream. Everything was delicious!

The program was led by the President of the American Inns of Court, Judge Consuelo Callahan, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She welcomed everyone and recognized all the platinum-status Inns. The program also included recognition of the Inns with the most outstanding educational programs for the year.

Seated in the Great Hall of the U.S. Supreme Court surrounded by the marble busts of former Justices of the Supreme Court, this gala was a truly memorable experience. We rarely attend formal galas anymore, and this was not only beautiful, but fun and inspiring.

Don’t Miss Out on the Inventors Hall of Fame

I must add that as an IP lawyer, my sister and I took the time on Friday afternoon to visit the U.S. Inventors Hall of Fame located at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Hall of Fame is small, but highlights some of the greatest inventions that have impacted the history of the U.S. Everything from farming machinery to cell phones to cell research. 

If you have a chance, take the time to visit the U.S. Inventors Hall of Fame when you go to Washington, D.C., along with the U.S. Supreme Court.