The meeting dates for the upcoming year are listed below. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for refreshments, an educational program, and dinner each month. Meetings start at 5 p.m. at the Bar Association. 

Any attorney or judge interested in joining the local Inns of Court should contact an Inns officer or the Executive Director of the Westmoreland Bar Association.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring or co-sponsoring the wine selections for $250 please contact Treasurer Kerri Shimborske-Abel or President Kelly M. Eshelman.

Ned J. Nakles American Inn of Court Schedule

• Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – Kickoff the New Year at WBA HQ with live music & heavy hors d'oeuvres
• Tuesday, October 17, 2023
• Thursday, November 16, 2023
• Wednesday, March 20, 2024
• Tuesday, April 9, 2024
• Thursday, May 9, 2024

Officers

• Kelly M. Eshelman, President
• Joyce Novotny-Prettiman, Secretary
• Kerri Shimborske-Abel, Treasurer
• Matthew Prather, Immediate Past President

Executive Committee Members

• Richard H. Galloway
• John Hauser
• William McCabe
• John M. Ranker
• April Schachtner
• Michael J. Stewart

On May 19, 2000, the Westmoreland American Inn of Court changed its name to the Ned J. Nakles American Inn of Court in memory and in honor of Ned J. Nakles, Sr. An active member of the Bar since 1967, Ned was a charter member of the Westmoreland American Inn of Court since its founding in 1995. He shared the vision of the American Inns of Court, and was instrumental in promoting legal excellence, professionalism, civility and ethics not only among members of the Bar, but also among his many other friends and acquaintances.

American Inn of Court

In 1980, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, former Solicitor General Rex Lee, and U.S. District Judge A. Sherman Christensen founded the first American Inn of Court. American Inns of Court modify the traditional English model of legal apprenticeship to fit the needs of the American legal system and are designed to improve the skills, professionalism, and ethics of the bench and bar, enabling them to become more effective advocates and counselors with a keener ethical awareness.

The American Inn of Court promotes collegiality through regular monthly meetings attended by all members, with presentations demonstrating forensic techniques, emphasizing skill, ethics, professionalism and civility, and prompting discussion among all members.