The Division handles the initial appeals of all cases litigated by Division attorneys in the trial courts, and works closely with the Office of the Solicitor General on Division cases that reach the Supreme Court. These cases are handled by the Appellate Section.

In addition, the Division is responsible for, among other things, supporting the work of the Assistant Attorney General in the development of policy concerning the enforcement of the nation's environmental laws, reviewing and commenting on legislation that would affect the work of the Division, reviewing litigation filed under the various citizen suit provisions in the environmental laws, evaluating and responding to requests that the United States participate as an amicus in various matters, and handling the work of the Division on international issues. Most of this work is handled by the Law and Policy Section.