Appellate Section

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.

Recent Filings

McGreevey v. PHH Mortgage Corp., et al., click here for the Brief as Amicus (9th Cir. March 29, 2017)

Youhoing-Nanan v. U.S. Department of Justice, click here for the Motion to Dismiss and Response to Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (D.C. Cir. March 22, 2017)

United States v. Umbach and Kines, click here for the Brief as Intervenor and Amicus (7th Cir. February 17, 2017)

King v. Marion County Circuit Court, click here for the Brief as Appellee (11th Cir. February 27, 2017)

OCA-Greater Houston v. Texas, click here for the Brief as Amicus (5th Cir. February 6, 2017)