What’s New
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Associate Judge John Fisher of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals has handled many significant prosecutions, including Dan Rostenkowski and Jonathan Pollard. When he was Chief Judge, he stressed the idea of "preventive appellate advocacy" - appellate lawyers advising trial lawyers to avoid issues on appeal.
A Summary of the Oral History of Judge John R. Fisher
Associate Judge John Fisher of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals has handled many significant prosecutions, including Dan Rostenkowski and Jonathan Pollard. When he was Chief Judge, he stressed the idea of "preventive appellate advocacy" - appellate lawyers advising trial lawyers to avoid issues on appeal.
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The Society is very pleased to announce that Margaret (Margie) Gaines has joined the Society as its new Executive Director. Ms. Gaines was an attorney with the NLRB Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Branch from 1983 until her retirement in 2017, and served as Deputy Assistant General Counsel and Settlement Director from 2005 to 2017. Margie is well known to the Circuit, having served as a volunteer mediator in the Circuit Mediation Program since 2013. We are confident that Margie will be a superb Executive Director for the Society in the years to come.
Meet Margaret Gaines, the Society’s New Executive Director
The Society is very pleased to announce that Margaret (Margie) Gaines has joined the Society as its new Executive Director. Ms. Gaines was an attorney with the NLRB Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Branch from 1983 until her retirement in 2017, and served as Deputy Assistant General Counsel and Settlement Director from 2005 to 2017. Margie is well known to the Circuit, having served as a volunteer mediator in the Circuit Mediation Program since 2013. We are confident that Margie will be a superb Executive Director for the Society in the years to come.
Read the Oral History of Sara-Ann Determan, Esq.
Sally-Ann Determan joined Hogan & Hartson in 1960 and became the firm’s first female partner. She served as President of the D.C.Bar and received the National Legal Aid and Defender Association Exemplar Award for outstanding leadership in promoting and supporting equal justice. Her oral history, filled with interesting anecdotes, was taken by Brooksley Born.
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In his engrossing and insightful oral history, journalist Carl Stern describes his decades-long career covering the D.C. Courts including such cases as Watergate and the Branch Davidian crisis. Read Stern's compelling oral history, taken by skilled oral historian, Judy Feigin.
Read the Oral History of Carl Stern, Esq.
In his engrossing and insightful oral history, journalist Carl Stern describes his decades-long career covering the D.C. Courts including such cases as Watergate and the Branch Davidian crisis. Read Stern's compelling oral history, taken by skilled oral historian, Judy Feigin.
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Read about the Society's virtual Mock Court Program, guidance for appellate advocates, Judge Fahy's war-time exploits and views, and much more.
Read the Society’s Latest Newsletter – April 2021
Read about the Society's virtual Mock Court Program, guidance for appellate advocates, Judge Fahy's war-time exploits and views, and much more.
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The Society's Mock Court Program was virtual this year. Yet, 115 D.C. high school students and 11 judges participated actively.
The Historical Society’s 2021 Mock Court Program
The Society's Mock Court Program was virtual this year. Yet, 115 D.C. high school students and 11 judges participated actively.
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Judge June Lazenby Green was the fourth woman in the United States to serve on a federal district court. This tribute to Judge Green was written by Elizabeth Sarah "Sally" Gere. First published in Washington Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the D.C. Bar
Standing on Her Shoulders: A Tribute to Judge June L. Green
Judge June Lazenby Green was the fourth woman in the United States to serve on a federal district court. This tribute to Judge Green was written by Elizabeth Sarah "Sally" Gere. First published in Washington Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the D.C. Bar
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Few people have had as deep an imprint on the practice of law as Esther Lardent. Often dubbed the “Queen of Pro Bono,” Lardent transformed makeshift volunteer legal services for low income clients into organized programs now ingrained in the culture. Lardent’s captivating oral history was summarized by Society member Carl Stern.
A Summary of the Oral History of Esther Lardent, Esq.
Few people have had as deep an imprint on the practice of law as Esther Lardent. Often dubbed the “Queen of Pro Bono,” Lardent transformed makeshift volunteer legal services for low income clients into organized programs now ingrained in the culture. Lardent’s captivating oral history was summarized by Society member Carl Stern.
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An inspired, passionate advocate for the rights of tenants in the D.C Courts, Florence Roisman established an implied warrant of habitability in every real estate lease, transforming landlord-tenant relations and low-income housing policies throughout the city. Carl Stern provided this summary of a true pioneer in the fight against housing discrimination.
A Summary of the Oral History of Florence Roisman, Esq.
An inspired, passionate advocate for the rights of tenants in the D.C Courts, Florence Roisman established an implied warrant of habitability in every real estate lease, transforming landlord-tenant relations and low-income housing policies throughout the city. Carl Stern provided this summary of a true pioneer in the fight against housing discrimination.
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In his oral history, Richard Roberts, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, recalls his childhood (son of a school-teaching father and an opera-singing mother), education (an arts-based high school, Vassar’s first class of men, Columbia Law), years in government handling high-profile matters, prosecution of former Mayor Barry, and more.
Read the Oral History of Judge Richard Roberts
In his oral history, Richard Roberts, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, recalls his childhood (son of a school-teaching father and an opera-singing mother), education (an arts-based high school, Vassar’s first class of men, Columbia Law), years in government handling high-profile matters, prosecution of former Mayor Barry, and more.