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Appellate Section

About

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.

Section Information

Chief
Bonnie I. Robin-Vergeer

Contact
Tel: (202) 514-2195
Fax: (202) 514-8490

General Appellate Contact: crt.appellate@usdoj.gov

Amicus curiae suggestions may be submitted to crt.amicus@usdoj.gov. Submissions should include case name, docket number, circuit/district court name, a brief description of the case and issue, and the current status if known.

Recent Filings

Poe v. Labrador, view the Brief as Amicus (9th Cir. March 12, 2024)

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, view the Brief as Amicus (S. Ct. March 4, 2024)

United States v. Pinkney, view the Brief as Appellee (9th Cir. March 1, 2024)

HUD v. Dangtran, view the Application for Enforcement of Final Agency Order (5th Cir. February 27, 2024)

United States v. Skrmetti, view the Reply Brief (S. Ct. February 20, 2024)

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