August 27, 2025

Dear Members of the American Inns of Court,

We stand at a momentous confluence of anniversaries: the 250th year of the United States of America, and the 45th anniversary of the American Inns of Court. Together, these milestones invite reflection—not just on history, but on our continued responsibility as stewards of the rule of law and guardians of justice in a democratic society.

Since our founding, the American Inns of Court has stood as a beacon for civility and excellence in the legal profession. Much like our nation and our legal system, we have our roots in England, where for centuries the Inns of Court fostered the study of law and the values of mentorship and professionalism. But just as our Founders forged their own path in the new Republic, even as they built on English tradition, we have made our Inns of Court quintessentially American. Just as the first conversations over what would become the American experiment took place in humble taverns and meeting houses, our own story begins with a small number of attorneys and judges who, with the encouragement of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, met in a law school auditorium in Provo, Utah, to form the first American Inn of Court.

Today, what began as a vision to cultivate mentorship and elevate legal ethics has grown into a nationwide movement, with over 350 Inns chartered in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Tokyo. Tens of thousands of attorneys and judges proudly count themselves among alumni of the Inns, and generations of practitioners remain united by a shared commitment to the highest ideals of legal practice.

We have much to be proud of. In times of change and challenge, it is the law—and those who uphold it—that shape the arc of a free society. From the earliest days of our nation, lawyers have acted as defenders of human dignity, and their courage and commitment to professional ideals have often placed them at the forefront of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. In the 19th century, abolitionist attorneys like Salmon Chase championed legal arguments against slavery and represented clients fleeing bondage, often at great personal and professional risk, helping to lay the groundwork for the Thirteenth Amendment, and in 1876, a group of lawyers founded the Legal Aid Society of New York to provide access to justice for the poor, sparking one of our most essential professional traditions of pro bono service.

During the 20th century, lawyers were essential to the fight for Civil Rights, both in the halls of the Supreme Court of the United States and in every courtroom across America. Long before Gideon v. Wainwright, private attorneys across the country offered pro bono representation to indigent and often unpopular defendants, laying the moral foundation for the constitutional guarantee of counsel that we now take as fundamental. In the wake of the Watergate scandal, it was lawyers—steeped in a tradition of ethics and professionalism—who led the charge for government transparency and oversight that helped restore the public’s trust in government.

Our history gives us a special place in the American tradition. As attorneys, judges, and scholars, we are uniquely entrusted with ensuring that justice is not only pursued, but perceived to be fair, impartial, and accessible. Our collective role remains vital. In every courthouse, chamber, and classroom, the culture of professionalism we foster through the American Inns of Court shapes both the quality of our legal system and the trust our fellow citizens place in it.

On this double anniversary, let us renew our commitment to the principles that have guided our nation and our organization: equality, justice, and the rule of law. These are not abstract ideals. For attorneys, they are daily practices that require constant vigilance and courage.

Thank you for all you do to uphold the legacy of the American Inns of Court and to serve as defenders of our democratic institutions. Together, we carry forward an American tradition that is as enduring as it is essential.

Sincerely,

Judge Consuelo M. Callahan
President

LTG Joseph B. Berger III, USA (Ret.)
Executive Director