The General Counsel of the Department of Defense is the
chief legal officer
A general counsel, also known as chief counsel or chief legal officer (CLO), is the chief in-house lawyer for a company or a governmental department.
In a company, the person holding the position typically reports directly to the CEO, and their ...
of the
Department of Defense (DoD), advising both the
Secretary
A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a ...
and
Deputy Secretary on all legal matters and services, and providing legal advice to
Office of the Secretary of Defense organizations and, as appropriate, other DOD components.
The General Counsel develops the department's Legislative Program and coordinates DoD positions on legislation and Executive Orders; coordinates the appeals process for denied
FOIA requests; oversees the performance and standards of DoD attorneys; establishes policy on general legal issues and determines the DoD position on specific legal problems; maintains repository for all international agreements coordinated, negotiated, or concluded by DoD personnel; and is "dual-hatted" as Director of the Defense Legal Services Agency.
This position was established by Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 and by Defense Directive 5145.1, signed 24 August 1953. The position derived its responsibilities from one of the original three Special Assistants to the Secretary (established in 1947) and the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legal and Legislative Affairs) (established in 1949).
Office holders
See also
*
General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force
The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force (acronym SAF/GC) is the chief legal officer of the U.S. Department of the Air Force.
By U.S. law, the General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force is appointed from civilian life by t ...
*
General Counsel of the Army
The General Counsel of the Army (also known as the Army General Counsel, abbreviated AGC) is the chief legal officer of the U.S. Department of the Army and senior legal advisor to the Secretary of the Army.
U.S. law provides that the General Co ...
*
General Counsel of the Navy
References
External links
Official website
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Lawyers who have represented the United States government