District of Columbia Resources

This research guide covers select resources available for doing District of Columbia legal research, including finding laws & legislation, court opinions, regulations, and legal ethics information, both in print at the Georgetown Law Library as well as in electronic and online formats.

For a discussion of the history of the D.C. legislative and judicial system before the latest major change in the governing arrangements laid out in the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act ("Home Rule Act"), Pub. L. No. 93-198, 87 Stat. 744 (1973) (D.C. Code §§ 1-201.01 to 1-207.71), please consult:

• Luis M. Acosta, The Legal History of the District of Columbia Prior to Home Rule: A Bibliographic Essay, 23(4) Legal Reference Services Q. 43 (2004).
• In print: Legal Research in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (2d ed. 2000) by Leah F. Chanin, Pamela J. Gregory & Sarah K. Wiant. Call Number: KF 240 .C43 Reference Desk & 5th Floor.
• Joan Talbert Thornell, Governance of the Nation's Capital: A Summary History of the Forms and Powers of Local Government For the District of Columbia, 1790 to 1973 (1990).
• District of Columbia Research Guide (Geo. Wash. U. L. Libr.).

For acts relating to the establishment of the District of Columbia and its various forms of governmental organization, check volume 1 of the D.C. Official Code (Call Number: State 1st Floor KFD1230 2001 .A22).

• AALL State Documents Bibliographies: District of Columbia.
• Guide to District of Columbia Law Online (Law Libr. of Cong.).
• Findlaw: District of Columbia Legal Research.
• Justia: District of Columbia.
• HeinOnline: The Legal History of the District of Columbia Prior to Home Rule.
• In print: Finding the Law In the District of Columbia, in The District of Columbia Practice Manual. Call Number: Ref Desk, Stacks & State 1st Floor KFD1280 .D57.
• In print: Legal research in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (2000) by  Leah F. Chanin, Pamela J. Gregory, Sarah K. Wiant. Call Number: Reference Desk KF240 .C43 2000.

CALI Lessons

Available to Georgetown Law Students. Students who need a registration code should go to CALI Lessons for Students.

• CALI Lesson: District of Columbia Primary Sources.
• CALI Lesson: District of Columbia Secondary Sources.

Reference Desk:
Atrium, 2nd (Main) Floor
(202) 662-9140

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