In fiscal 2015, the Department of State had $26,498 million in outlays, and in fiscal 2014 it had 10,068 total employment. The Legal Advisor’s Office is composed of approximately 175 permanent attorneys and 100 support staff, including paralegal specialists, treaty analysts and general administrative personnel. Although the majority of staff are stationed in Washington, D.C., attorneys from the office also fill the legal counsel and deputy attorney positions at U.S. missions in Geneva and The Hague, and the legal counsel positions at U.S. missions to the European Union in Brussels and the United Nations in New York. On occasion, the office provides attorneys for other overseas posts.
• Serves as the department’s general counsel
• Furnishes advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the department’s work
• Assists department principals and policy officers in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy and promoting adherence to, and development of, international law
• Works with department officials on legislative initiatives and drafts, and interpret domestic statutes, departmental regulations, executive orders and other legal documents
• Oversees the Office of the Legal Adviser and the work of attorneys who negotiate, draft and interpret international agreements and who represent or assist in representing the United States before international tribunals, domestic courts, the Foreign Service Grievance Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and the Board of Contract Appeals
• Works closely with department principals, congressional and White House staff members, and senior officials at other departments and agencies