The Historical Society of the DC Circuit
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The Historical Society of the DC Circuit
@circuithistory.bsky.social
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The Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit is a tax-exempt organization independent of the Courts of the D.C. Circuit with a mission to record, preserve and publicize the life and history of those courts.
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circuithistory.bsky.social
Calling all legal historians and oral history practitioners! The D.C. Circuit Historical Society archive has essential primary sources on admin law, constitutional history, and judicial figures. Perfect for your next project. Start your research journey here: dcchs.org  #ASLH #OHA #Researchtool
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
He went to night law school when a college degree wasn’t required and rose to the federal bench. Judge Thomas A. Flannery’s oral history tells how hard work and integrity shaped a life in justice. Read more: https://dcchs.org/oral-histories/thomas-a-flannery/ 
#DCCHS #LegalHistory #Lawyers 
November 22, 2025 at 10:11 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
When President Jefferson sought treason warrants against political enemies, DC Chief Judge William Cranch said no. His dissent in U.S. v. Bollman defined the early DC Circuit’s stand for judicial independence. Read more: https://dcchs.org/u-s-v-bollman-a-noble-beginning-for-the-d-c-circuit-court/
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
What stories shaped the D.C. Circuit over 200 years? The Great Hall Exhibition brings them to life with photos, articles, and highlights that bring the story of the Courts to life! Plan your visit and read more here: https://dcchs.org/current-exhibition/

#DCCHS #LegalHistory #Exhibition
November 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
This vivid retelling of courtroom drama includes Mary Surratt’s role in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Read An Anecdotal History of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Read online now: https://dcchs.org/publications/
#DCCHS #History #Law #Lincoln
Publications - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
Read the PDFs or purchase the publications about the history of the Appeals Courts and District Courts of the District of Columbia Circuit.
dcchs.org
November 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
The D.C. Circuit plays a vital role in shaping U.S. environmental law by reviewing EPA actions under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and resolving complex scientific questions.
Learn more here: https://dcchs.org/the-environment/

#EnvironmentalLaw #DCCircuit #DCCHS
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Discover the D.C. Circuit’s defining role in shaping U.S. law. Jeffrey Brandon Morris’s Calmly to Poise the Scales of Justice explores how these courts oversee federal power and influence the Supreme Court. Order here: https://dcchs.org/publications/

#DCCHS #JudicialHistory #LegalHistory
November 7, 2025 at 10:52 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
See the judges who shaped U.S. law. A century of official portraits reveals the evolution of the D.C. Circuit and its legacy in shaping justice, from Shepard (1905) to Bazelon (1977). https://dcchs.org/courts-of-appeals/ #DCCHS #DCCircuit #Law #Judge
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Discover the voices behind D.C.’s legal legacy. The Historical Society’s Oral History Program features 100+ interviews with judges, attorneys & key figures who shaped justice in our nation’s capital. Explore now: https://dcchs.org/oral-histories/ #DCCHS #LegalHistory #Justice
November 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Help preserve the legacy of the D.C. Circuit! Your donation supports oral histories, programs, and events connecting the legal community across generations. Donate today: dcchs.org/donate/
October 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Judge George E. MacKinnon shaped the D.C. Circuit and served on the FISA Court of Review. Learn about his career, education & portrait on the Historical Society’s site. //dcchs.org/judges/mackinnon-george-edward #DCCHS #DCCircuit #HistoricalSociety
October 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Before the Watergate trials, Judge Gerhard Gesell helped investigate the Pearl Harbor attack. This article on the Society’s timeline traces this early test of judgment and leadership.
https://dcchs.org/gesell-pearl-harbor/
#DCCHS #LegalHistory #Watergate
October 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
The October #DCCHS Newsletter is out! Read about Justice RBG’s oral history, new interviews with John Cruden, Judge J. Michelle Childs’ Fordham Law Review article, and more from the D.C. Circuit’s history. https://dcchs.org/the-societys-latest-newsletter-october-2025/

October 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
The Historical Society is honored to share interviews with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Covering her early life, education, and judicial career, with a focus on the D.C. Circuit. https://dcchs.org/oral-history-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg-now-available-on-society-website/
#RBG #WomenInLaw

October 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Mediation is now routine in American courts, thanks in large part to Linda Singer, Esq. Her pioneering work shaped ADR from prisons to civil courts.
September 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Explore 200 years of history in the Great Hall Exhibition at the U. S. Courthouse. Ten panels trace the D. C. Circuit’s creation, landmark cases, and honor Judge William B. Bryant. Learn more: https://dcchs.org/current-exhibition/

#LegalHistory #JudicialHistory
Current Exhibition - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
Highlights of the 200-year history of the Courts of the D.C. Circuit can be viewed in an exhibition prepared by the Historical Society for the Courts.
dcchs.org
September 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
The Historical Society is honored to share the oral history of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Covering her early life, education, 1970s women’s rights litigation, and judicial career on the D. C. Circuit & Supreme Court, with a focus on the D. C. Circuit.
September 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Behind every case is a story. The Articles & Reminiscences collection captures moments, people, and memories that shaped the D. C. courts: https://dcchs.org/articles/

#JudicialHistory #LegalCommunity
Articles & Reminiscences - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
Enjoy this collection of feature stories and articles written by and about members of the D.C. legal community for the Society.
dcchs.org
September 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Nominated by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, George Purnell Fisher served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of D.C. until 1870. A Dickinson College graduate and U.S. Representative, his career reflected law and politics in the Civil War era. dcchs.org/judges/fisher-george-purnell

#LegalHistory
George Purnell Fisher - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
George Purnell Fisher, Associate Justice, U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was nominated by Abraham Lincoln on March 10, 1863.
dcchs.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
What does it mean to be a federal judge, then and now? In 2015, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Senior Judge Paul L. Friedman discussed the role of judging with moderator Miguel Estrada, Esq.
September 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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From clerking for Justice Hugo Black to founding one of the first public interest law firms, Bruce J. Terris, Esq. fought for civil rights, the environment & justice for all. Explore his oral history: https://dcchs.org/judges/bruce-j-terris-esq/

#LegalHistory #DCLawyers
Terris, Bruce J. - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
Learn about Bruce J. Terris, Esq. by reading his oral history, interviews, biography, and more.
dcchs.org
September 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Judge Beryl Alaine Howell served as Chief Judge of the U. S. District Court for D. C. from 2016 to 2023 and assumed senior status in 2024. Her career spans prosecution, legislative service, and private practice.
September 5, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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What was it like to practice law in Washington just after the Civil War? A 1953 article, “Reminiscences of an Old-Time Washington Lawyer”, preserves rare memories of the city’s courts and lawyers in that era. dcchs.org/reminiscences-of-a-washington-lawyer-grant-w-wiprud

#LegalHistory #DCLawyers
Reminiscences of an Old-Time Washington Lawyer Grant W. Wiprud
Grant W. Wiprud recounts memories of a lawyer, who preferred to remain anonymous, had about the city and courts stretching back to the end of the Civil War.
dcchs.org
September 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Discover the history that shaped the D. C. legal community. The Historical Society of the D. C. Circuit’s Newsletter Archive shares stories of landmark cases, judges, and lawyers who made an impact. Explore here: https://dcchs.org/newsletters-archive/

#LegalHistory #DCLawyers
Newsletters Archive - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
View and download all of the newsletters of the Society. Stay up to date with the latest news & events and read about plans for upcoming programs.
dcchs.org
August 30, 2025 at 8:35 PM
circuithistory.bsky.social
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly shaped the law from D. C. Superior Court to the federal bench to Presiding Judge of the FISC. Explore her portrait, career, and service here: https://dcchs.org/judges/kollar-kotelly-colleen
#DCCHS #LegalHistory #DCLaw

Colleen Kollar-Kotelly - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit
Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was nominated by William J. Clinton on January 7, 1997
dcchs.org
August 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM