Deadlines & Themes for The Bencher

The Bencher magazine is the flagship publication of the American Inns of Court and published six times per year. Submissions are welcome and membership is not require to contribute an article. If you are interested in writing, please be sure to review our Editorial Policy and Submission Guidelines. Please contact our editor with any questions.

Important note: We are in the process of converting The Bencher, to a new dedicated online-only website launching in summer 2025. We are working to implement new schedules and update our submission guidelines. We will post updates as soon as they are available. Thank you for your patience while we work to create a new and enriched publication for our members. If you have any questions, please send an email to Rita Zimmerman.

Article Topics

The following are suggested topics for articles. At this time deadlines are subject to change as we convert to a new publishing format. More topics will be posted soon, but you may also write on a topic of your choosing. Please be sure to reference our current submission guidelines.

Theme: Technology
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Technology continues to evolve at an ever-increasing rate. What are the latest technological advancements in the legal profession? How is current technology, including AI, impacting the practice of law? Is technology being incorporated effectively in your legal practice and/or in the courtroom? What are some of the benefits and successes—or pitfalls and disadvantages—of technology in the legal profession today? Are there any associated ethical implications?

Theme: Wellness
Deadline: July 1, 2025
Unfortunately, law students, attorneys, and judges juggle multiple issues simultaneously and are often involved in high-stress situations. How do you effectively deal with stress? What programs exist to assist individuals suffering from high stress, depression, and mental health and addiction issues? How can we help them obtain treatment? What ethical issues are involved? Please share your suggestions on how you—and others in the legal profession—can stay well.

Theme: Professionalism and Civility
Deadline: August 1, 2025
The vision of the American Inns of Court is “[a] legal profession and judiciary dedicated to professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence.” Professionalism and civility are not only expected in the legal profession; they make legal practice more enjoyable. What are some examples of professionalism and civility that you wish others would emulate? How should we react when others in the legal field do not exhibit professionalism and civility? What programs—besides Inns of Court—emphasize the importance of professionalism and civility?

Article submissions should be e-mailed to Rita Zimmerman. We look forward to having you contribute to The Bencher.