The D.C. Circuit issues more unpublished opinions than published opinions. That’s true in all the federal circuits. What percentage of opinions are published? You can find the answer in several places, but here’s an easy-to-digest graphic:
Note that the D.C. Circuit is at the top of the class in publishing opinions, but it still publishes less than 50%. This graphic appears in a fascinating paper called Circuit Personalities, soon to appear in the Virginia Law Review.
It has loads of insights into quirks of each of the circuits. Take a look!