American Inns of Court (AIC) are voluntary professional organizations designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. An American Inn of Court is an amalgam of judges, lawyers, and in some cases, law professors and law students. Each Inn meets approximately once a month both to “break bread” and to hold programs and discussions on matters of ethics, skills and professionalism.

What is the Justice Coleman Inn of Court?
The Justice James H. Coleman, Jr., Inn of Court was founded by workers’ compensation attorneys and judges and concentrates on issues surrounding workers’ compensation in New Jersey.

Who can join this Inn?
The membership is divided into “pupillage teams,” with each team consisting of a few members from each membership category. Each pupillage team conducts one program for the Inn each year. Pupillage team members get together informally outside of monthly Inn meetings in groups of two or more. This allows the less-experienced attorneys to become more effective advocates and counselors by learning from the more-experienced attorneys and judges. In addition, each less-experienced member is assigned to a more-experienced attorney or judge who acts as a mentor and encourages conversations about the practice of law.

Who is Justice Coleman?
Justice Coleman retired from the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2003. Prior to serving on the highest New Jersey state court, Justice Coleman was a workers’ compensation judge (1964-1973). He later served as a law judge (1973-1980) and an appellate judge (1981-1993).