The Appellate Section was created in 1974 as a component of the Civil
Rights Division. The Section works cooperatively with the trial sections
in each of the Division’s substantive enforcement areas in representing
the United States in civil rights cases in the federal courts of appeals.
Many of the Section’s cases are appeals from district court judgments in
cases originally handled by the Division’s trial sections.
The Appellate Section also monitors federal civil rights cases in which the United
States is not a party. In many of these cases, especially those that
involve developing or problematic areas of civil rights law or that may
significantly affect the Division’s enforcement responsibilities, the
Section files
amicus curiae briefs in the courts of appeals to set forth
the government’s position. The Section also works with the Solicitor
General’s Office in developing the government’s position in Supreme
Court cases involving civil rights issues. In addition, the Section
provides legal counsel to other components of the Division regarding
civil rights issues.
Since its formation, the Appellate Section has been involved in
numerous significant cases that have shaped federal civil rights
jurisprudence. The Section works to provide the highest standards of
legal representation to the government in the administration and
enforcement of the nation’s civil rights laws.
Follow this link for
courts
of appeals briefs and opinions. An email subscription is available for receipt of Appellate Section briefs.
Click here to subscribe.
Amicus Requests
The Appellate Section encourages suggestions of federal appellate cases as candidates for
amicus curiae participation by the Civil Rights Division.
Click here to learn more.