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.