The Southwestern Law School American Inn of Court has earned national recognition, placing second in the American Inns of Court 2024–25 Program Awards. 

The award honors programs that advance the Inns of Court mission, promoting professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence in the legal profession, through creative, engaging, and impactful design. 

Southwestern’s winning program, “The Carnival of Conversations: Mastering Civil Discourse in Law and Life,” transformed the Bullocks Wilshire campus into a lively, interactive learning environment. Designed by Pupillage Group 4 as a carnival-themed rotation, the evening featured five skill-building booths, such as the Empathy Fortune Teller with hot tea and fortune cookies and Burst Your Bubble with boba tea and cross-cultural prompts, along with a reception icebreaker, collaborative whiteboard discussions, and a progressive-dinner-style flow.  

“The creativity and care our students, faculty, and alumni put into this program is inspiring,” said Southwestern President and Dean Darby Dickerson, the Group 4 leader. “This award shows the best of our Inn’s spirit: innovative, inclusive, and committed to fostering civil discourse in law and life.” 

The American Inns of Court Program Awards are judged on creativity, educational value, research quality, and replicability. Southwestern’s entry stood out across all categories, demonstrating how thoughtful program design can make learning both memorable and practical for legal professionals at all stages of their careers.