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The Historical Society of the DC Circuit

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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The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · 1d

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/

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · 1d

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

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · 7d

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

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · 17d

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/

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · 21d

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

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 25

Explore her oral history, part of the ABA’s Women Trailblazers in the Law Project: https://dcchs.org/judges/singer-linda/

#Mediation #LegalHistory

Singer, Linda - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit

The oral history of Linda Singer.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 25

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 23

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 20

https://dcchs.org/oral-history-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg-now-available-on-society-website/

#RBG #LegalHistory #WomenInLaw

Oral History of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Read Ruth Bader Ginsburg's oral history and her role in the landmark women’s rights cases of the 1970s, and more.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 20

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 19

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 17

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 11

Watch the full program: https://dcchs.org/a-conversation-on-judging-then-and-now/

#LegalHistory #FederalJudiciary

A Conversation on Judging -- Then and Now - Watch the Video

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Senior Judge Paul L. Friedman take you behind the scenes at the U.S. District Court and talk about judging.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 11

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 9

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 5

Read more: https://dcchs.org/judges/howell-beryl-alaine

#LegalHistory #FederalJudiciary

Beryl Alaine Howell - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit

Beryl Alaine Howell, Judge, U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was nominated by Barack Obama on July 14, 2010.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 5

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Sep 3

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 30

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.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 30

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

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 30

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

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 21

Appointed by Lincoln in 1863, Andrew Wylie served over 20 years as Associate Justice of the court now known as the U. S. District Court for D. C. Explore his legal legacy, portrait, & more here: https://dcchs.org/judges/wylie-andrew
#DCCHS #DCLaw #Lincoln

Andrew Wylie - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit

Andrew Wylie, Associate Justice, U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia and received a recess appointment from Abraham Lincoln on March 18, 1863

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 14

Discover what makes the D. C. Circuit Courts truly unique, where federal meets local. Explore a curated bibliography for deeper research. Now on the Historical Society’s site:
https://dcchs.org/d-c-circuit-courts-history-evolution/
#Law #DCCircuit #History

The History and Evolution of the D.C. Circuit Court

Visitors to the Historical Society's website will now be able to learn more about the unique character and history of the courts of the D.C. Circuit.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 12

How did a Black judge get Strom Thurmond to endorse him before the Senate? Strategy, grace & Southern roots. Read Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. ’s inspiring oral history now: dcchs.org/judges/kennedy-jr-henry-h #DCCHS #LegalHistory #DCBar #OralHistory

Kennedy, Henry H. - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit

Learn about the Hon. Henry H. Kennedy, Jr. by reading his oral history, interviews, biography, and more.

The Historical Society of the DC Circuit @circuithistory.bsky.social · Aug 6

Catch up here: dcchs.org/the-societys-latest-newsletter-july-2025
#DCCHS #LegalHistory

July 2025 Newsletter - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit

Juneteenth webinar, investiture ceremonies, new oral histories, welcome new board members, a law clerk & judges reception alert, and more.