The American Inns of Court Foundation confers several awards annually. The awards program encourages excellence and creativity and endeavors to expand the vision of the American Inns of Court beyond the Foundation and the individual American Inns of Court. The Foundation's awards program is a respected symbol of not only the American Inns of Court movement, but by the American legal profession as well.
A. Sherman Christensen Award
Given in the name of the founder of the first American Inn of Court, this award is bestowed upon a member of an American Inn of Court who, at the local, state, or national level has provided distinguished, exceptional and significant leadership to the American Inns of Court movement.
Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics
This award is bestowed upon a person who has rendered exemplary service in the areas of legal excellence, professionalism and ethics.
Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Service
The American Inns of Court has established the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Service honoring an American Inn member in practice ten or fewer years for excellence in public interest or pro bono activities.
Warren E. Burger Prize
The Warren E. Burger Prize recognizes practical scholarship in the areas of legal ethics, civility and professionalism.
Professionalism Awards
The American Inns of Court Professionalism Awards are awarded each year, on a federal circuit basis, to a lawyer whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.
Achieving Excellence
Achieving Excellence program replaces the Model of Excellence Award and Circle of Excellence Distinction. It is a tiered achievement-based program that builds on an Inn’s successes. Each level recognizes an Inn’s progress toward mastering five core competencies of Inn management.
Program Awards
The annual Program Awards recognizes outstanding program development in local Inns of Court.
Best Special Project Award
The annual Best Special Project Award recognizes different activities outside the Inn's monthly meeting, which allows Inns to promote the mission of the American Inns of Court.