Willard’s Hotel

The UNITED STATES COURT OF CLAIMS held its first meeting at “Willard's Hotel",

on this site on MAY 11, 1855. The court was established to allow citizens to sue 

the U.S. Government. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln wrote of the court:

 

It is as much the duty of government to render prompt justice against itself,

in favor of citizens, as it is to administer the same, between private individuals.

 

This memorial is placed here on behalf of the United States Court of Federal Claims

and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the successor courts to

the Court of Claims, to commemorate its 150th Anniversary.

 

Edward J. Damich  Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Paul R. Michel  Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

 

Commissioned by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association, October 25, 2006

 

• lincoln
• willard's hotel
• 1855