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.

With frequent questions regarding District of Columbia law, this research guide offers more in-depth information than most of our other state guides.

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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