You can contact the Office of General Law by writing to the Assistant General Counsel for General Law, Room W96-304 (C-10), U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, or telephone 202-366-4710.

1. Mission.

   To provide advice and services with respect to a broad range of legal issues, in particular as they affect the policies and programs of the Office of the Secretary.

2. Functions.

   Under the executive direction of the General Counsel, the Office of General Law provides legal advice and services with respect to:

   • The manner by which Government agencies perform their functions, including: powers and duties of Departmental officials; use of appropriated funds; all matters relating to the employment of personnel; management of property; and the acquisition, use, and disposition of goods and services;

   • Interpreting and implementing the requirements of civil rights-related statutes and providing representation of the agency in cases involving allegations of discrimination in Office of the Secretary employment matters;

   • Operation of an ethics program for DOT employees;

   • All Departmental intellectual property issues, including patent and patent infringement matters, copyrights, trademarks, and technical data;

   • Audit resolution matters; and

   • Any other program and policy issue, arising from any mode of transportation, in which the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, General Counsel, or other Secretarial officer has requested advice or assistance.