General Counsel Organization

The Herbert C. Hoover Building of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA is a bureau of the Department of Commerce. Please visit www.commerce.gov for more.

The Office of General Counsel Headquarters is located in the U.S. Department of Commerce building in Washington, D.C. The office is headed by two Acting General Counsels, Jeffrey S. Dillen and Kristen L. Gustafson. The office consists of national level administrative and support staff.

General Counsel Sections

Virtually unchanged except by the forces of nature, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in #Alaska is as wild as it is vast.

Alaska Section

A NOAA Office of Law Enforcement patrol vessel off the West Coast of the United States.

Enforcement Section

Thousands of emaciated young California sea lions stranded on the West Coast during the environmental phenomenon referred to as "The Blob" as their mothers had to venture farther away to find food. (Photo: January 2015).

Environmental Review and Coordination Section

Aerial view of right whales swimming

Fisheries and Protected Resources Section

A simulation of sea-surface temperatures from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. This model inspired the U.S. Postal Service to create a Forever international rate stamp, released on Earth Day in 2014.

International Section

Marine Protected Areas are defined areas where natural and/or cultural resources are given greater protection than the surrounding waters.

Natural Resources Section

Bins filled with lobsters

Northeast Section

Killer whales swimming with Seattle skyline in background

Northwest Section

Waves crashing against Orgon coastline

Oceans and Coasts Section

Photographer taking pictures of construction near basin

Southeast Section

NOAA Building along San Diego coastline

Southwest Section

Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtles on beach at Tern Island

Pacific Islands Section

NOAA satellite in space

Weather, Satellites and Research Section