If you’re looking for a true example of leadership and dedication within the legal profession, Richard Levenstein is a name you should know.
As a Tulane Law School alumnus (L’76), Levenstein has carved an impressive path and is now being honored with the 2024 American Inns of Court A. Sherman Christensen Award for his exceptional service and leadership within the American Inns of Court movement. This prestigious award is a symbol of recognition given to individuals who exhibit extraordinary commitment to the legal community at the local, state, and national levels.
Levenstein’s contributions to the legal world are vast and varied. He is not only a highly respected attorney but also a committed educator. Each spring, he teaches a course called “Representing Physicians,” which is uniquely structured to benefit both medical and law students at Tulane. Additionally, he plays a vital role as a co-leader in the Civil Litigation Intersession Boot Camp, an intensive program designed to equip law students with practical skills in civil litigation.
But the story of Richard Levenstein’s impact doesn’t stop there. A shareholder at Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero PA in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Levenstein has demonstrated his legal acumen in complex commercial and civil litigation. His specialization in representing physicians and medical practices places him at the forefront of this niche legal field. Moreover, his contributions extend to broader legal education through training lawyers and judges, emphasizing the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary.
A Career Marked by Service and Leadership
You will be amazed by the level of commitment Richard Levenstein has shown to the legal profession. Notably, he served as the founding president of the Justice Major B. Harding American Inn of Court in Stuart, Florida. Since its inception in 2003, he has been a member of its executive board. His national recognition came in 2005 when he moderated a session for an American Inns of Court conference, and later, he chaired the Back Inn School Program Research Task Force from 2010 to 2011.
Levenstein’s influence has not been limited to one jurisdiction. From 2009 to 2017, he served as a trustee on the Board of the American Inns of Court. Even today, he continues to contribute his expertise as a member of the Capital Development Task Force, ensuring the growth and sustainability of this prestigious legal organization.
Recognition from Peers: A Truly Remarkable Service
If you ask those who have worked with Levenstein, they will tell you that his contributions are nothing short of remarkable. One notable figure, retired New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Gary E. Hicks, who nominated him for the award, described Levenstein as a “natural evangelist” for the American Inns of Court. This kind of recognition speaks volumes about his ability to lead, inspire, and advocate for professional ethics and civility in the legal profession.
Tulane Law School Dean Marcilynn Burke echoes this sentiment, stating that Levenstein is a nationally recognized model of professionalism and civility. His willingness to share these qualities with Tulane’s students, both in and out of the classroom, further highlights his commitment to shaping the next generation of legal professionals.
A Legacy of Professionalism and Mentorship
When you think about the future of the legal profession, individuals like Richard Levenstein offer hope and inspiration. His work at Tulane, particularly in the Representing Physicians course and the Civil Litigation Boot Camp, provides invaluable opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in complex legal matters. These programs are intensive, hands-on, and designed to prepare law students for the practical challenges they will face in their careers.
Moreover, his broader contributions to organizations like the American Judicature Society and the National Center for State Courts reflect his ongoing commitment to improving the legal system for both practitioners and the public. By participating in the Our Courts America initiative, Levenstein has also played a role in educating the public about the critical need for an impartial judiciary.
Celebrating Excellence at the Supreme Court
On October 26, Richard Levenstein will receive his well-deserved recognition at the American Inns of Court 2024 Celebration of Excellence. This event, held at the Supreme Court of the United States, is a fitting venue to honor an individual whose career has been marked by distinguished service, leadership, and a commitment to the highest standards of legal professionalism.
For those familiar with Levenstein’s work, this award serves as a reminder of the significant impact one person can have within the legal community. For Tulane Law students and the broader legal world, his example is a powerful one, demonstrating that excellence in law is not just about winning cases but also about leading with integrity, teaching the next generation, and upholding the values of justice and fairness.
A Deep Commitment to the American Inns of Court Movement
Richard Levenstein’s recognition with the A. Sherman Christensen Award is far from an isolated honor; it reflects decades of dedicated involvement in the American Inns of Court, an organization devoted to fostering ethics, professionalism, and civility among lawyers and judges. His journey within the movement began at the local level, where he helped establish and sustain inns that bring together experienced practitioners, judges, and young attorneys in a structured mentorship environment. Over time, Levenstein’s leadership expanded well beyond a single chapter, earning him roles at the state and national levels where he has consistently championed programming that bridges the gap between academic legal training and the realities of daily practice.
Within the American Inns of Court, Levenstein is known for his hands-on approach to mentorship. He regularly organizes and presents demonstration programs that tackle real-world ethical dilemmas, trial techniques, and professional responsibility issues. His ability to translate complex legal concepts into accessible, practical guidance has made him a sought-after speaker and facilitator at inn meetings across Florida and beyond. Colleagues describe him as a steady, principled presence who leads by example, never asking younger members to uphold standards he does not personally model in his own litigation practice. This unwavering commitment to the core values of the inns—integrity, mutual respect, and continuous learning—is precisely the kind of service the Christensen Award was created to honor.
Bridging Law and Medicine: A Unique Educational Approach
One of the most distinctive aspects of Levenstein’s contribution to Tulane Law School is his interdisciplinary course “Representing Physicians,” which he teaches every spring. Unlike traditional law school electives, this class deliberately brings together law students and medical students in the same room, creating a learning environment that mirrors the collaborative reality of healthcare litigation. The course examines the legal, ethical, and practical challenges that arise when physicians face malpractice claims, regulatory investigations, and contractual disputes—and it does so from both the lawyer’s and the doctor’s perspective.
Levenstein’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective representation of medical professionals requires more than doctrinal knowledge. Students learn how to read medical records, understand the language of clinical practice, and recognize the pressures that shape physician decision-making. Through simulated depositions, expert witness preparation, and case analysis drawn from Levenstein’s own decades of experience, participants gain a realistic view of what it means to defend a doctor or a medical practice in high-stakes litigation. Medical students, for their part, leave the course with a newfound appreciation for the legal risks inherent in patient care and the importance of clear documentation and communication. This cross-disciplinary model has drawn praise from both faculties and has become a signature offering for Tulane students interested in health law.
Guiding the Next Generation: The Civil Litigation Boot Camp
Beyond the classroom, Levenstein plays a vital co-leadership role in Tulane Law’s Civil Litigation Intersession Boot Camp, an intensive program designed to compress years of litigation know-how into a focused, high-energy learning experience. The boot camp takes place during the law school’s intersession period, giving students the chance to step away from traditional doctrinal classes and immerse themselves in the practical skills that civil litigators use every day. Levenstein works alongside other experienced practitioners and judges to design a curriculum that covers everything from drafting pleadings and discovery requests to arguing motions and conducting effective depositions.
What sets the boot camp apart is its emphasis on immediate, actionable feedback. Students participate in realistic simulations—such as arguing a motion to dismiss or defending a key witness in a mock deposition—and receive direct critique from Levenstein and his fellow faculty members. The goal is not merely to expose students to litigation concepts, but to build the muscle memory and professional instincts that will serve them from their first day as associates. Levenstein often brings real case files and hypotheticals drawn from his own practice, ensuring that the lessons are grounded in genuine legal problems rather than abstract theory. Alumni of the boot camp consistently cite it as one of the most valuable experiences of their law school careers, and many credit Levenstein’s guidance with giving them the confidence to succeed in litigation-focused roles after graduation.
A Tradition of Excellence: The A. Sherman Christensen Award
The A. Sherman Christensen Award holds a special place within the American Inns of Court. Named in honor of the late Judge A. Sherman Christensen, a former president of the American Inns of Court Foundation and a distinguished jurist known for his dedication to legal professionalism, the award recognizes individuals whose service has had a lasting impact on the inns at the local, state, and national levels. Recipients are selected based on their sustained commitment to the organization’s mission—fostering ethics, civility, and excellence in the legal profession—and their ability to inspire those around them to uphold those same ideals.
For Richard Levenstein, receiving this award places him in a distinguished lineage of legal leaders who have given generously of their time and expertise to strengthen the fabric of the profession. The honor is especially meaningful because it comes from his peers—judges, lawyers, and mentors who have worked alongside him for years and witnessed firsthand the depth of his dedication. For Tulane Law School, the recognition is a point of pride, reaffirming the institution’s long tradition of producing graduates who lead not only in the courtroom but also in the broader legal community. Levenstein’s award serves as a reminder that true excellence in the law is measured not just by victories won, but by the values upheld and the next generation of lawyers nurtured along the way.