Members of The Chicago Inn of Court gathered and greeted each other as the Inn celebrated its 20th Anniversary at the Chicago Cultural Center.
The Chicago Inn of Court celebrated its 20th Anniversary in grand style at the end of 2008 at the Chicago Cultural Center. On a snowy night in Chicago, members gathered to celebrate the growth of the Inn from the small, founding group of prominent lawyers and judges to the current thriving membership of over 100 professionals. Though its size has grown, The Chicago Inn of Court is proud to retain and foster the original founding principles of the Inn: excellence, ethics, civility, and professionalism.
The anniversary program was hosted by Chapter President, Natalie Spears, and highlighted the Inn's activities throughout the past 20 years, including Chicago Inn of Court members' Jim Figliulo and the late Michael Coffield's successful defense of George Washington facing charges of treason during a mock trial in London in a challenge English Inns of Court, and The Chicago Inn of Court's establishment of the Honorable Joel Flaum Award, presented annually to a member of the Chicago legal community who embodies the principles of the American Inns of Court. The documentary also featured the Chicago Inn of Court's strong tradition of presenting programs that appeal to lawyers of every level of experience both for their educational and entertainment value. Programs have ranged from recreations of famous trials and contemporary courtroom dramas to hotly contested game shows challenging members' knowledge of civil procedure and recent ethics decisions.
The 20th anniversary celebration emphasized the Inn's commitment to service within the City of Chicago. In 2006, the Inn established the Don Hubert Award to honor former Chicago Inn of Court President Don Hubert's memory and his dedication to public service by presenting the award to a member of the legal community with a distinguished commitment to public service. The anniversary program also honored member Collins Fitzpatrick for his generous contributions to a charitable trust in honor of Don Hubert. And, as is tradition for the Inn each holiday season, members brought toys and clothes to the anniversary celebration for donation to St. Sabina's Children's Christmas Toy Drive and raised over $7,000 by "passing the hat" for the Drive.
Mindful of the importance of civility, The Chicago Inn of Court members also entertained each other with "Holiday Karaoke", highlighted by former ABC-Chicago Newscaster Joel Daly's rendition of "White Christmas". As holiday anthems echoed through the Chicago Cultural Center along with conversation and laughter amongst the membership, The Chicago Inn of Court sentimentally celebrated the past 20 years with certain optimism for the Inn's bright future. Perhaps the best testament to the Inn's success is the enduring enthusiasm, pride and commitment of the judges, experienced trial lawyers, young attorneys and law students who continue to participate in The Chicago Inn of Court experience.