About the Northern District Court Historical Society
Since 1977, the Northern District Court Historical Society has been protecting and enlivening the rich judicial history of the court. From the Chinese Exclusion Laws to Patty Hearst to cutting-edge technology disputes, the Northern District has been in the thick of some of the thorniest problems and most interesting events in California history.
The goal of the Society is to preserve, share, and enliven the court’s history with lawyers, educators, scholars, and students.
The Historical Society has written, published, and/or collaborated on a number of excellent books covering important topics in the history of Northern California and its federal district court. We are pleased to offer Historical Society books for sale through our online bookstore.
Gender Identity and Equal Rights: Past, Present, and Future
April 29, 2026
Panelists Elizabeth Gill Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of Northern California National ACLU LGBT & HIV Project Pam Karlan Stanford Law School Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General – Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice Amy Whelan Senior St… Continue Reading Gender Identity and Equal Rights: Past, Present, and Future
Birthright Citizenship & The 14th Amendment: A Re-Enactment of the Landmark Wong Kim Ark Case with Discussion on American Identity and Legal Legacy
April 15, 2026
Birthright Citizenship & The 14th Amendment: A Re-Enactment of the Landmark Wong Kim Ark Case with Discussion on American Identity and Legal Legacy Featuring Judges, Attorneys, and High School Students from the Northern District Panel Discussion wi… Continue Reading Birthright Citizenship & The 14th Amendment: A Re-Enactment of the Landmark Wong Kim Ark Case with Discussion on American Identity and Legal Legacy
The Criminal Justice Act in the Northern District of California: The Origin Story and Early Cases and their Lasting Legacy
March 4, 2026
Registration at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cja A Conversation with Geoffrey Hansen (Ret.) – Federal Public Defender Judge James Larson (Ret.) – Magistrate Judge, NDCA William Osterhoudt – Criminal Law Expert Karen Snell – Criminal Law Expert… Continue Reading The Criminal Justice Act in the Northern District of California: The Origin Story and Early Cases and their Lasting Legacy