Vassar B. Carlton Inn of Court

04/24/2026

We are fast approaching the month of May and that means our End of Year Banquet is fast approaching! We need your help raising funds. We are switching things up this year and providing sponsorship opportunities with explanations for where your sponsorship would directly go, based on your choice.

Here are some sponsorship options:
Awards - $300.00 -$500.00 ($300 covers the cost of basic awards, $500 covers the cost of upgraded awards for specific awards)
Decorations- $250.00
Welcome Champagne - Sponsorship Claimed
Drink Ticket #1 - Sponsorship Claimed
Drink Ticket #2 - $500.00
Hor Dourves #1- Sponsorship Claimed
Hor Dourves #2- $300.00
Hor Dourves #3- $300.00
Dessert - Sponsorship Claimed

To lower cost for memberships meals, any amount can be divided between all who RSVP to lower the cost per member for their own meals.

However, any contribution is very much appreciated!

Please e-mail Tiffany Troutt, [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions or if you can contribute to this event.

Thank you everyone for your continued support of our Inn!

04/21/2026

Team 6 took on Artificial Intelligence this month and it was one of those presentations that sticks with you long after the meeting ends.

This topic challenges us to think critically about where we draw the line when it comes to ethical considerations in using AI in our practice—balancing innovation and efficiency with our duties of competence, confidentiality and professional judgment.

Great job, Team 6!
Michael Peacock, Captain
Gregory Eisenmenger, Mentor
Candace Brascomb
Taylor McDermid
Nathan Eprem
Clayton Castetter
Kurt Russell
Timi Tucker

Also, SAVE THE DATE for our Annual Banquet! It will take place on May 28th at Rockledge Country Club!

03/12/2026

Last night’s meeting focused on a topic that sits at the heart of every courtroom: the Rules of Evidence. From admissibility to objections, Team 5’s presentation was a great reminder that effective advocacy isn’t just about knowing the facts of your case, it’s about understanding the framework that determines what the court or a jury can actually consider.

Team 5 did a fantastic job walking through key evidentiary principles and highlighting practical examples that attorneys encounter in real litigation!

Thank you, Team 5!
Rebecca Price
Jack Platt
Judge Jonathan Skinner
Diane Baccus Horsley
Keely Canada
Trang Goebel
Eric Hostetler
Derek Gandy

03/11/2026

We are excited to begin the new member recruitment process for the upcoming year. The Inn continues to grow because of the exceptional lawyers and judges who make up our community, and we are always looking to welcome individuals who are committed to professionalism, mentorship, and excellence in the practice of law.

❗️If you know a colleague who would be a great addition to the Inn, we encourage you to submit a recommendation. The deadline for recommendations is March 23rd, which will allow sufficient time for the Board to vote at our annual retreat. Please submit member recommendations with resumes to Jessica Honeycutt, [email protected].

❗️Our annual Awards Banquet is also approaching. The deadline to submit nominations for awards is April 17th. Please submit award nominations to Jeff Nuckols, [email protected].

We look forward to continuing to strengthen our Inn with dedicated members of the legal community!

03/11/2026

The Clerk’s Office is hosting a Professional Clothing Drive, and the Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court is proud to support this effort! At our April meeting, we will be collecting men’s and women’s professional clothing and accessories, including:

• Business attire
• Shoes
• Briefcases
• Purses
• Other professional accessories

These items help individuals who are preparing for court appearances, job interviews and professional opportunities. Any items that cannot be used by the Clerk’s program will be donated to the Public Defender’s Closet, ensuring they still make a meaningful impact in our community.

If you plan to attend the April meeting, please consider bringing a donation. Flyers will also be available on the tables at tonight’s meeting with more information.

Thank you for helping us support professionalism, dignity and opportunity in our community!

02/18/2026

It was a pleasure attending our annual joint meeting with the George C. Young American Inn of Court in Orlando last night! These gatherings are always a meaningful opportunity to strengthen collegiality within the bench and bar, exchange ideas and reinforce the professionalism and civility that define the American Inns of Court.

Thank you to the George C. Young Inn for their warm hospitality and for fostering such thoughtful discussion. We are already looking forward to next year’s collaboration!

01/16/2026

This month’s program featured Team 4’s presentation on expert witnesses! An excellent (and entertaining) refresher on the fundamentals of expert selection and effective strategy at trial!

Thank you to Team 4:
Marley Padula, Captain
Thomas Tierney
Judge Kathryn Speicher
Lisa Elkhouri
Daniel Thillet
Kristina Varady
Gabriel Jacobs-Kierstein
Alexander Liles

We are looking forward to next month’s joint meeting with our sister Inn, The George C. Young Inn, held on Tuesday, February 17th. Please be sure to RSVP by this Friday, January 16th at 6pm if you plan on attending, as we need to reserve a charter bus for transportation. See you there!

11/18/2025

Great presentation last week by Team 3! Their program was entertaining and informative, discussing how to satisfy your responsibilities as a lawyer.

A huge thank you to Team 3:
Judge Kristen Smith-Rodriguez
Patricia Smith, Captain
David Volk, Mentor
Andrew Pickett
Will Anderson
Linnha Gonzalez Suarez
Jacob Speicher
Isam Alsafeer

And their guest presenter, Karen Montas!

We’re looking forward to our Annual Holiday Party on December 5th, please be sure to RSVP if you’d like to join us!

Save the date for Team 4’s presentation next month which will be held on January 14, 2026. See you there!

11/11/2025

Save the date! Our Inn's Annual Holiday Party will be Friday, December 5th. It's an RSVP only event. Details to follow.

We are seeking sponsorship donations. If you would like to contribute, please contact Tiffany Troutt at [email protected] with your donation.

10/27/2025

10/24/2025

Welcome, Alexandra Sutton! 🇬🇧

The Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court was honored to warmly welcome 2025 British Pegasus Scholar Alexandra Sutton at a special gathering Sunday evening at Rising Tide Tap & Table in Melbourne, Florida.

Surrounded by esteemed members of the legal community, Alexandra was joined by:

🧑‍⚖️ David Reimel (National Trial Advocacy Program scholarship recipient)
🧑‍⚖️ Judge Scott Blaue
🧑‍⚖️ Judge Laura Moody
🧑‍⚖️ Ret. Judge Jennifer Taylor
🧑‍⚖️ Jeanine Allen
🧑‍⚖️ Judge Kelly McKibben
🧑‍⚖️ Judge David Silverman
🧑‍⚖️ Joan Nassar
🧑‍⚖️ Jessica Honeycutt
🧑‍⚖️ Sara Flenniken
🧑‍⚖️ Suzi Bentley

It was a night of connection, mentorship, and celebration of international legal exchange. 🌍⚖️