The Detroit Bar Association Inn of Court

The Detroit Bar Association was established in 1836 as a forum for lawyers and judges who sought to improve the administration and quality of justice in their community through education, dialogue, and community activities.  All these years later, the Detroit Bar continues to advance these goals through its Inn of Court program.

The Detroit Bar Inn of Court (IOC) is designed to promote strong relationships between attorneys in different firms and practice areas, create more frequent mentorship and training opportunities, and foster more regular and constructive contacts between the bench and the bar.  Based on the English model of legal apprenticeship, the Detroit Bar IOC program involves monthly, team-led programs over a 5-month period that address issues of law, ethics and practice.

The structure of the Detroit Bar IOC program is similar to other models.  Each team has a “Team Leader,” who is a member of the State or Federal bench.  Along with a Team Leader, each team has “Masters” who have at least 12 years (and typically more than 20 years) of practice.  A team also consists of “Barristers,” who have at least 5 years of practice, “Associates,” who are newer members of the bar, and “Law Clerks,” who are law students and non-attorney legal professionals.

Each team is assigned a program date and topic and provided with program ideas.  All team members are responsible for working with leadership and developing a program on its assigned topic.  When it is not that team’s responsibility to develop and facilitate the program for the monthly meeting, the only requirement is enthusiastic participation during the other monthly meetings.

The 2024 IOC Season

The IOC season will kick off on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The meetings are held monthly at Miller Canfield and begin with soft start social period at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program starting at 6:00 p.m. and last no longer than 90 minutes. 2024 dates are:

  • Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Kick Off Event Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
  • Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
  • Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
  • Tuesday, April 30 , 2024, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Closing Event Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield

Membership and participation in the Detroit Bar IOC is an exclusive benefit available only to Detroit Bar members.  Non-members must join the Detroit Bar when they join the IOC.

The IOC dues for the 2024 program year are $75 for Masters, $50 for Barristers and Associates, and $25 for Law Clerks. This fee covers the costs for program administration and food and beverages during the season.

TO REGISTER: Please register online using the link below and email your resumé to Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org. The deadline to register is January 30, 2024.

REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

IOC Leadership for 2023 Season

Co-Chairs:
Jason Conti
313 234-7177
jconti@foley.com

Bobby Murkowski
313 496-8423
murkowski@millercanfield.com

Felipe B. Torres
felipe.torres@hallmarkhcs.com

Detroit Bar Director of Special Events
Sheena Law Killinger
slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org