The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the CIA. The General Counsel serves as the legal advisor to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and is responsible for the sound and efficient management of the legal affairs of the CIA. The General Counsel is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, a requirement added in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.

The CIA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is an independent office of the CIA that is headed by the General Counsel and assists the General Counsel in carrying out his statutory and other responsibilities. On behalf of the General Counsel, OGC provides legal advice and guidance to the Agency and to the Director of the CIA. OGC is responsible for advising the Director on all legal matters relating to his statutory responsibilities and his role as head of the CIA. OGC also provides advice and guidance to those officers and employees within the CIA who have specific responsibility for the conduct of US intelligence activities.

Learn more about the General Counsel:

• Who We Are
• What We Do
• Careers
• History of the Office