Save the Law Courts Inn

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

NEED LETTER

Yours truly,

Angela L. Folino
President,Law Courts Inn

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

The Law Courts Inn is operated by The Lawyers Inn Society, which was established in 1972. Its objects are to foster and promote understanding, co-operation, the exchange of ideas and comradeship among all members of the legal profession, as well as to provide a forum for the full and free discussion of all matters of interest to its members.

The Inn is modeled after the Inns of Court in London, England, where for centuries barristers and judges have convened for lunches and dinners. Call ceremonies and special events in the life of the profession are held at the Inn. It is the Inn – the home of the Bench and Bar – where the culture of the profession is passed on from one generation to the next.

We host countless significant events for the local legal community including judicial welcoming and memorial receptions following special sittings, the Lawyers Assistance Program’s annual Gratitude Lunch, law clerks’ dinners, firm holiday parties, the Inns of Court program and CBABC section meetings, among other things. The Inn is also a physical space for lawyers, students, and the judiciary to come together on a daily basis to dine.

The Law Courts Inn is an extraordinary space that is, essentially, our community centre. In the recent past it had fallen into disrepair, but our directors rolled up their sleeves and have worked hard to revitalize it.

We determined that the best way to move forward would be to start again. In 2016, we engaged a new general manager, Steve Chamli, and a new executive chef, Jack Eng. In 2018, Davor Pandza took over the role of general manager, with Steve Chamli continuing to guide in the background. All of the Inn’s staff are committed to providing high quality food and exceptional service, and they look forward to welcoming you for lunch between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. daily.

The Inn has undergone significant physical improvements over the last couple of years. Since 2016, we have implemented a new point of sale system, renovated both entrances, installed new window treatments, wallpaper and sound system, and we have recently purchased a commercial-grade espresso and cappuccino machine. Most of these improvements were funded through generous donations from our members, but since we are now at the point where improvements can be made through our operations, many of these recent improvements have been self-funded. This is a monumental shift, and one that would not be possible were it not for the efforts of the Inn’s management, staff, and you, our valued members.

We continue to offer programming, including our Lunching with Leaders series, and annual events, including the popular Trivia Night and our kids’ holiday breakfast with Chief Justice Christopher E. Hinkson as the man in red himself.

Additionally, the Inn has endorsed a Declaration of renewed friendship with the historic Honourable Society of the Middle Temple meaning you, as a member in good standing of the Law Courts Inn, can now visit Middle Temple Hall in London, England as an invited guest. If you plan to be in London, please let us know and we will make an introduction for you to visit the Middle Temple.

The ongoing support of our members is critical to our success, and so we ask for your support by way of becoming a member of the Inn. The annual membership fee is $150 and, should you purchase your

membership from June onward, the fee is pro-rated by half. Members receive all benefits of membership, including the privilege of monthly invoicing, the ability to purchase tickets in advance to events like the Trivia Night, a 10% discount on lunches at the Inn upon the presentation of your membership card, and a preferred rate for Lunching with Leaders events.

Find nine colleagues to join you and you will receive a 10% discount on your membership fees. Even better, enlist your whole firm: a corporate membership of 20 or more lawyers receives a discount of 20%.

To sign up for a membership, please complete the individual or corporate membership application forms in PDF on this page, email them to our business manager, Diana Jovanovich, at diana@lawcourtsinn.com, and kindly arrange for payment.

We are pleased to welcome you to the Home for the Bench and Bar.

Yours truly,

Angela L. Folino
President,Law Courts Inn

THE POEM

Here gather a merry band of men
Never to sit round this table again.
Ten years have we come to eat and talk
Telling daily what triumphs we’ve wrought

We place our orders the gossiping starts
Amid clam chowder, the student and tart
The law is also mentioned in passing
And what we learn here is long tasting:

Sandwiched between Jacob and Bert
Is to hear the wild wind blow
What one has forgotten about law and life
The other is sure to know

The firm of Brown Benson and Fiddes
Keep things lively it seems
Benson is droll, Deering robust
While silent Brown is never seen.

Those who dispense advice
Having dipped into wisdoms well
Are eminent counsel Oliver and Giles
So we hear them tell.

We remember the others who
No longer frequent this place
Chairman Tom, Norm Samuels
And Glen McMaster-His Grace.

Juniors are here we welcome all
There sits Aason and Bowes.
Montgomery comes late and Martin
Tells us only of what he knows.

The red head deserves a verse
You know of whom I speak
He rises without leaving a thought
Having talked for the whole week

There are gentlemen at Table
Albeit only a few
Soft spoken Alf Clarke and
Thoughtful Ken Yule are two

Who will move this half ton Table
To Erickson’s eerie on high
Weighted down with memories
And an occasional sigh?

Sandra L. Kovacs
President, Lawyers Inn Society