The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has issued the following request for proposals for "publication of a history of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit” DRE]
Project overview: This request seeks proposals for a publication memorializing the history of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Background: In 1982, a book titled Studies in the History of the United States Courts of the Third Circuit 1790-1980 was published. The Third Circuit Bicentennial Committee engaged Professor Stephen B. Presser to prepare this work. Much of the book chronicles the history of the United States District Courts within the Third Circuit. As Professor Presser acknowledged in his introduction, he “had written relatively little on the Court of Appeals,” (page viii), and only dedicated the final chapter in the book—thirty-two pages in length—to the Court of Appeals. The book may be accessed [here]. In the following years, many of the District Courts within the Third Circuit published histories of their courts. The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit now seeks to publish its own history.
Research: A robust collection of primary and secondary sources is in the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit’s archives and available for this project. These sources include judges’ papers, minutes, oral histories, photographs, annual reports, Third Circuit publications, and various books and articles. In addition, the substance of Studies in the History of the United States Courts of the Third Circuit 1790-1980 may be reproduced and otherwise employed, as the author does not own a copyright in that book.
Substantive Contents: Possible topics for the book may include the growth of the Court to its present size and changes over time, the culture and traditions of the Court, its role in shaping the law in certain areas (e.g., class actions, bankruptcy) and in different epochs (e.g., women’s suffrage, prohibition and organized crime, Civil Rights era decisions, the internet age), the influence of technology on Court business, and the COVID-19 experience.
Project Term: Thirty-six months or less from the signing of a contract with the author or authors.
Content of Proposal: Proposals should, among other things, detail the submitter’s vision for the project (including substantive content), the author(s) and each author’s biography, and suggested compensation.
Deadline for Proposal: The deadline for proposals is June 30, 2022.
Submit Proposals to:
Hon. Michael A. Chagares, Chief Judge
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
James A. Byrne United States Courthouse
601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
c/o joel_mchugh@ca3.uscourts.gov
For inquiries, contact:
Joel McHugh
Deputy Circuit Executive
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
James A. Byrne United States Courthouse
601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
joel_mchugh@ca3.uscourts.gov
