A video presentation of a trip to Europe to visit courts and inns of court and swearing in new officers were on the docket May 15 for the E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court.
Eight members of the Inn and members of their families visited inns of court in England and Ireland from April 20-29. American Inns of Court adopted the traditional English model of legal apprenticeship and modified it to fit the particular needs of the American legal system.
American Inns of Court help lawyers to become more effective advocates and counselors by learning side-by-side with experienced judges and attorneys in their community.
"It was a great educational experience to witness the operation of courts and inns of court during the trip," said Alan Gordon, immediate past president of the E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court.
Gordon was joined on the trip by Circuit Judge Karen Cole, Judge of Compensation Claims Neal Pitts and Inn members Holley Akers, George Rotchford, Allison Hunnicutt, Michael Crumpler and Michael O'Rourke.
The trip included the opportunity to observe a criminal trial in London and to visit the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, one of London's Inns of Court. In Ireland, the group observed criminal and civil trials in Dublin, and visited the Kings Inn-Henrietta Street.
The tour included some sightseeing with stops at Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
Cole narrated the presentation and provided information on the differences in operation of the courts.
"Judges don't like to be called 'Your Honor.' 'My Lord' is the preferred title," said Cole.
Wigs have been a part of the traditional wardrobe of those practicing law, but the younger generation of English attorneys are seeking change, said Cole.
"The younger generation is looking to move away from the use of wigs," said Cole.
The length of a wig normally displays the length of the wearer's career and judges are never to wear their wigs and robes outside of the courtroom, said Cole.
The May meeting of the local Inn also featured the introduction of the Inn's new slate of officers: Judge Ray Holley, president; Michael Rudolph, president-elect; Tara Sa'id, vice president; Vanessa Herbert, treasurer; John Rahaim, secretary; Robert Williams, administrator; and Crumpler, chaplain.
The E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court was formed in 2007. It comprises lawyers, judges, mediators and law students who are involved in the workers' compensation area of law in Jacksonville.
The Inn is named after E. Robert Williams, a litigator and mediator in Jacksonville. The Inn's mission is to promote professionalism and provide tutelage and mentoring among the members while playing an active part in North Florida's legal community.
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