Inns of Distinction Gala

About the Event

The Inns of Distinction Gala recognizes high performing American Inns of Court from across the nation that have achieved excellence in Inn management and programming. Inn leaders will gather at the Supreme Court of the United States to celebrate their accomplishments in advancing professionalism in the legal community through exemplary Inn programming and meaningful member engagement.

The gala is a black-tie event that begins with a cocktail reception in the East and West Conference rooms of the Supreme Court of the United States, followed by dinner and a recognition program in the Great Hall.

The 2026 Inns of Distinction Gala will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, to recognize Inns that have achieved Platinum distinction in the 2025–2026 Achieving Excellence program as well as Inns receiving 2026 Program Awards.

NEW! 2026 events include a Dutch Treat Dine-Around Friday evening and a special reprisal of the winning program from our America 250 Program Contest during the Saturday morning Leadership Networking Breakfast.  More details coming soon!

The Experience…



“Having the opportunity to serve as President of the Earl E. O'Connor Inn of Court is one of the greatest honors I have received in my lifetime, and I cannot imagine a more exciting experience than celebrating our Inn at the U.S. Supreme Court. To spend an evening with other Inn representatives across the country who share the same passion for civility and excellence in the practice of law was a delight. I was blown away by the talent on display from various Inns for their educational programs, and I cannot wait to take back some of what I learned to my Inn. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is so fortunate to have the opportunity to attend.”

—Megan Stumph-Turner, Esq.
Earl E. O'Connor American Inn of Court, President, 2024–2025

Prairie Village, Kansas

The Experience…

“Becoming president of Sagamore Inn is one of the accomplishments of which I am most proud and joining other Inn members from across the country at the Supreme Court of the United States is one of the greatest honors I have ever received.

It was a surreal experience inside the courthouse. I met people from California to Florida who shared the same love and passion for the program that I had. Afterward, I felt like I had shared an experience with strangers who had become lifelong friends. I felt like it was an experience that was so powerful it could never be recreated. But it will. Next year another lucky group will gather to engage with others outside of their own Inn membership, to learn from each other, and to help to build community ties. To me, I cannot imagine any other experience in my professional life as quite as meaningful and I know I am truly blessed for having had that opportunity.”

—Aimee Rivera Cole
Sagamore American Inn of Court, President, 2021–2022

Indianapolis, Indiana