The purpose of the Inn is to provide less experienced practitioners with the opportunity for sustained interaction with experienced attorneys and judges. This is accomplished through monthly meetings at which the Barristers and Associates interact with and receive instruction in procedure and trial practice from the senior members of the Inn. A strong emphasis is placed on professionalism, ethics and civility. The goal of the Inn is to create a lasting, permanent mechanism to enable senior members of the bar and bench to pass on to younger members of the bar the higher standards and technical skills necessary to enhance the practice of law by those in the trial community. Regular monthly meetings of the Inn are supplemented by regular meetings of smaller subgroups called teams.
The Inn is composed of Associates, attorneys with one to five years of experience; Barristers, attorneys with five or more years experience; and Masters of the Bench, attorneys and judges with recognized experience and expertise as trial advocates. Associates are invited to join the Inn for one year, Barristers for two years, and Masters of the Bench for life. Every past member of the Inn is placed on a roster of alumni and is invited to continue attending programs after the conclusion of their term, on a first-come, first-served basis. All alumni are invited to attend an annual "homecoming" banquet typically held in January.
The Inn meets once monthly from September through June, from 5:30-7:30 PM, at One America Plaza in downtown San Diego. The January meeting is the Joint Inns Dinner which includes the alumni.