Federal Law Guides

FederalLawyer.com offers 326+ comprehensive guides on federal law topics, written and reviewed by practicing attorneys. These free legal education resources cover federal court procedure, jurisdiction, practice tips, and substantive federal law topics to help both attorneys and the public understand the federal legal system.

Guide Categories

Browse our guides by topic to find the information most relevant to your situation:

  • Federal Criminal Defense — Understanding federal criminal charges, sentencing guidelines, plea agreements, and your rights in federal court proceedings
  • Immigration Law — Guides on removal defense, asylum applications, visa petitions, naturalization, and immigration court procedures
  • Federal Appeals — How to navigate the federal appellate process, brief writing, oral argument preparation, and appellate procedure
  • Tax Law — Federal tax disputes, IRS audits, Tax Court procedures, and tax fraud defense
  • Civil Rights — Section 1983 claims, Title VII employment discrimination, ADA compliance, and federal constitutional rights
  • Bankruptcy — Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy procedures in federal court
  • White Collar Defense — Federal fraud charges, wire fraud, mail fraud, RICO, and money laundering defense
  • Employment Law — Federal employment disputes, FLSA wage claims, FMLA, and whistleblower protections

Understanding Federal Courts

The federal court system is separate from state courts and handles matters arising under federal law, the U.S. Constitution, and disputes between parties from different states. Federal cases are initially heard in one of 94 U.S. district courts, with appeals going to one of 13 circuit courts of appeals, and ultimately to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Our guides explain key differences between federal and state court proceedings, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and local court rules that govern practice in each federal district.

Popular Guides

For Attorneys

Federal practitioners can contribute guides to FederalLawyer.com, sharing expertise with colleagues and potential clients. Contributing guides enhances your professional profile and demonstrates subject matter expertise in your practice areas.

  • Browse CLE Courses — Earn continuing legal education credits
  • Legal Articles — Read analysis and commentary on federal legal topics
  • Blog — Stay current on federal law developments

Find a Federal Lawyer

If you need legal representation for a federal matter, our directory of 1.5+ million federal attorneys can help you find qualified counsel. Search by practice area, location, court admissions, and experience level.