During our regular meeting in April, the American Inns of Court Board of Trustees held a farewell dinner for Brigadier General Malinda E. Dunn (Ret.), who was retiring as the American Inns of Court executive director. We also welcomed and held a “meet and greet” for our incoming executive director, Lieutenant General Joseph B. Berger III (Ret.), who officially took the helm on July 1.
The board meets in person twice a year, once in Washington, DC, and once in another part of the country as we have trustees from all parts of the United States. On April 25–26, we met in Salt Lake City and had a very productive meeting,
The farewell dinner included laudatory remarks from past and current presidents and Board members. General Dunn, by consensus, was a transformational leader during her 14 years at the helm. She led the development of a strategic plan, navigated the difficult waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, and greatly expanded our relationship with our British counterparts by overseeing the Amity visits as well as the Pegasus and Temple Bar scholarships. In fact, the Inns are currently fundraising for the Justice Randy Holland Pegasus Scholarship Endowment Fund. The goal is $1 million, and to date, we are well on our way with $650,000. This is amazing progress, and these accomplishments barely scratch the surface of General Dunn’s tenure.
On a personal note, I have so enjoyed working with General Dunn that it is hard to imagine life without her. Her service to country, her service to the American Inns of Court, and her leadership style of service over self, have provided sterling examples to all who come within her circle of influence. She has been our North Star, and her impact will be felt for years to come. While General Dunn is prepared to pass the baton to General Berger, rest assured that she leaves our house in good order.
Those of you who know me well know that I do not believe in coincidences. That General Berger’s retirement from the military so perfectly intersected with our search for a new executive director cannot be a coincidence and, in my view, might even be a “Godwink”!
After 33 years of service to our country, after serving at the highest levels of the military, General Berger has taken the baton from General Dunn to lead our organization fearlessly into the next chapter. The transition has been seamless and gives the American Inns of Court the opportunity to work with yet another great leader. I am pinching myself daily that I am so fortunate that my tenure as president will be bookmarked by these two phenomenal leaders.
Like many of you, I don’t always love change when life is going so well. There will always be challenges. We know only too well that our profession faces new challenges on a regular basis. We can either say that “the sky is falling” or that “the sun rises every day.” I take the latter approach and choose to look at challenges as opportunities.
I can also assure you that the board of trustees takes very seriously its job to be responsive to what our Inn members need. It is our job to meet you where you are and to ensure that the Inn of Court movement flourishes and remains relevant to the legal profession. We are a diverse group, with Inns throughout the United States; it is to be expected that we will also have diverse viewpoints. But what is important to remember is that we stand united in our core values of professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence. Those values inform us in everything we do.
The board is excited about the future. This summer and fall we host two amazing events—the Inns of Distinction Gala in July and the Celebration of Excellence in October—at the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as a trip to London celebrating 35 years of Pegasus Scholars. And, if that is not exciting enough, this year we also celebrate the 45th birthday of the American Inns of Court, and next year will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
So, buckle up and join me as we begin a new chapter replete with change and opportunity