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 

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Schiffer, Lois - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit Learn about Lois Schiffer by reading her oral history, interviews, biography, and more.

From rafting the Grand Canyon to arguing (and winning) at SCOTUS, Lois Schiffer’s legal journey is legendary. Dive into her fight for the environment, equality & justice in her oral history. Explore now! https://dcchs.org/judges/schiffer-lois

#DCCHS #EnvironmentalLaw #DCBar

Chevron Revisited - Historical Society of the D.C. Circuit Read about the Historical Society's June 2019 re-enactment of the Chevron Doctrine, EPA’s interpretation of an ambiguous provision of the Clean Air Act.

In 1984, Chevron reshaped admin law. It was overruled in 2024, but you can revisit its legacy in the Historical Society’s video, Chevron Revisited, part of the Judge Patricia M. Wald Program. https://dcchs.org/chevron-revisited/
#DCCHS #Chevron #AdminLaw

From founding the first volunteer legal clinic to reshaping public interest law at Hogan & Hartson, Judge John M. Ferren dedicated his life to justice. His oral history is a must-read for today’s lawyers.
https://dcchs.org/judges/ferren-john-m
#Law #Justice #ProBono #DCCHS

From courtroom battles to Major League Baseball’s most infamous scandal, attorney John M. Dowd lived a legal life few can match. Explore his oral history now here: https://dcchs.org/judges/dowd-john-m

#DCCHS #TrialLawyer #Justice #Military #DOJ #DCLaw #Lawyer

Explore the roots of the D. C. Circuit’s federal courts and the stories behind them. The Historical Society preserves their powerful legacy. Dive into our mission:
https://dcchs.org/about
#LegalHistory #DCLaw #Judiciary #DCBar #LawClerks #DCCHS