Extending back to our WWII-era roots, the General Counsel has been the CIA’s chief legal officer. By statute, the General Counsel serves as the legal advisor to the Director of CIA and oversees the sound and efficient management of the CIA’s legal affairs (50 U.S.C. § 3520). The General Counsel is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is an independent office of the CIA, headed by the General Counsel, that provides legal advice and policy counsel in support of the CIA’s mission as the Nation’s first line of defense.
History
William J. Donovan, the founder of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and father of the CIA, was a highly decorated soldier and successful attorney with the U.S. Government and in private practice. Attorneys who worked with Donovan in the OSS played key roles in the drafting and enactment of the National Security Act of 1947 that established the CIA. Throughout CIA’s early years, OGC shaped internal policies and precedents that guided operations and refined the legal foundation of a secret intelligence service in a democratic republic.
During the Cold War years, OGC advised on anti‑communist initiatives and assessed the legal risks of covert actions. The challenges of the 1980s and onward required balancing growing counterterrorism and counternarcotics missions, while fostering interagency collaboration. In the post‑9/11 era, CIA lawyers have been integral to the United States’ counterterrorism operations, providing strategic counsel and contributing to high‑profile missions.
Today, OGC continues to support the CIA mission within the legal boundaries that uphold constitutional protections.
Who We Are
OGC consists of exceptional legal professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience. We thrive on challenge and advise on legal issues at the forefront of national security. Our work covers a broad range of legal issues and practice areas, including national security law, litigation, administrative law, employment law, government contracts, ethics, cyber law, and privacy.
Here is what several attorneys have to say about OGC:
“Leaving an AmLaw 100 firm to come to CIA was the best career move I’ve made. Here, I’ve found the interesting work and the smart and dedicated colleagues that I’d come to expect at a big firm — but I have also discovered the joys of practicing law without billable hours and in an environment where commitments to family and other outside activities are both respected and encouraged.” — A lateral CIA attorney
“As an Honors Attorney, I interact daily with clients and provide guidance on a variety of interesting legal issues. The legal issues that arise here are often similar to issues that would arise elsewhere, but they always have an Agency-unique twist that makes practicing law here challenging and interesting.” — A CIA Honors attorney
“I came to OGC after 10 years as in-house counsel to a small nonprofit and could not be happier with my decision. One of the most appealing aspects of working in OGC is that you are constantly learning something new. Between the opportunities for job change, the support for ongoing education, and the collegial environment in which attorneys share ideas and opinions, OGC is an incredibly dynamic place to work.” — A lateral CIA attorney
Careers
Positions in CIA’s Office of General Counsel
Please visit the Careers page and use the applicable search term to view available positions (Attorney, Paralegal, Law Librarian). We hire on a rolling basis.
Lateral Attorneys have more than three years of post-law school legal experience, are an active member of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, and work on the most complex legal issues in the Agency related to national security laws and a variety of other legal issues. For more specific descriptions, please refer to attorney job descriptions located on the Careers page.
Honors Attorneys have less than three years of post-law school legal practice, are an active member of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, and work under the close supervision of experienced OGC attorneys. Applicants must have a record of strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.
Paralegals have a paralegal certificate or degree from an ABA-approved school and are proficient in legal research. Applicants must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Law Librarians have at least two years of experience in large firm libraries, although candidates with unique skills may come from other types of law libraries. Applicants must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
OGC receives many resumes every month from people desiring to serve their country by participating in our intelligence mission. If you apply for a position with OGC and have not heard from us within 45 days of the date of your application, then we do not currently have an available position commensurate with your skills. We regret that we cannot personally respond to and hire all the fine candidates who wish to work for the CIA.
ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND RELOCATION TO THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA.