Series 1 documents John Doar's work within the Civil Rights Division and the Division's activities and organizational structure from its inception in 1957 through 1967, though most materials date from the 1960s. The majority of the series is made up of operating files from the investigation and litigation of civil rights violations in specific areas, such as voting and elections, education, public accommodations and public facilities, employment, violent crimes, and others. A large portion of the collection also relates to the administration of the Division, including records on matters such as the Division's budget, personnel, and internal management. To a lesser extent, the series contains files on other agencies with civil rights responsibilities in the federal government, as well as files on non-governmental activist organizations. "Special files" in the series provide insight into other areas of interest to the Division not explicitly included in the operating files, while materials related to proposed or approved legislation indicate the Division's priorities and its responses to new mandates. A number of government publications and scholarly articles collected by Doar are also present.

Series 3 contains John Doar's records from his time on the New York City Board of Education, including occasional Board materials that predate his tenure. Most of these earlier materials were interspersed with Doar's working files, though a small number of the subject files of Bernard Donovan, who served as superintendent of schools from 1965-1969, were maintained separately.

Series 5 documents Doar's legal career in private practice and his continued interest in civil rights matters from the 1960s. The majority of the series is composed of court documents pertaining to the investigation Doar led in the 1980s into the bribery charges laid against United States District Judge Alcee Hastings. A few other cases are also documented, though to a much lesser extent.