Selective Publication in the U.S. Courts of Appeals: The Invisible Norm that Perpetuates Inequality

Since the 1970s, federal circuit courts have designated some decisions as unpublished as a means of keeping up with an increasing number of appeals, yet still providing quality legal analysis. These unpublished opinions declare that they will only resolve the dispute in question rather than have the rulings act as binding precedent. Scholars have since focused on policy and the law-making function of circuit courts which avoids the difficult task of grappling with the massive number of unpu...