Office of the General Counsel
Overview
The General Counsel serves as the Chief Legal Officer of the Department, with final authority on questions of law. The General Counsel is the legal advisor to the Secretary and is responsible for the supervision, coordination and review of the legal work of the almost 500 lawyers throughout DOT. The General Counsel is responsible for the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement, and also coordinates the Department's legislative efforts, regulatory program, and involvement in legal proceedings before other agencies, as well as various operational and international legal matters. The immediate Office of the General Counsel (OGC) includes approximately 90 lawyers, analysts, and administrative professionals.
Most Requested Information
- Regulation and Enforcement
- Air Consumer Protection
- Recent Judicial Decisions
- Internships
- Honors Attorney Program
- Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution
Chief Counsels' Offices
The General Counsel also provides oversight and support to the Chief Counsel's Offices of the Operating Administrations. For more information about the Chief Counsel's Offices, please visit the links below:
Federal Aviation Administration
Kathryn B. Thompson, Chief Counsel
Federal Highway Administration
Fred R. Wagner, Chief Counsel
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Scott Darling, Chief Counsel
Federal Railroad Administration
Melissa Porter, Chief Counsel
Federal Transit Administration
Dorval Carter, Chief Counsel
Maritime Administration
Franklin R. Parker, Chief Counsel
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
O. Kevin Vincent, Chief Counsel
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Vanessa Sutherland, Chief Counsel
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Ellen Partridge, Chief Counsel
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Carrie Mann-Lavigne, Chief Counsel
Immediate Office of the General Counsel
The Immediate Office of the General Counsel consists of the General Counsel, two Deputy General Counsels, an Associate General Counsel, and several administrative staff members: