The Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC) provides legal services to the FAA Administrator and all agency organizations worldwide. Its primary functions are providing legal advice, reviewing agency action for legal sufficiency, and providing representational services.
Duties
The Assistant Chief Counsel for Information Law serves as the principal legal officer and legal expert for the Agency in all matters relating to information law, data, and technology law including provision of legal counsel, advice, training, and litigation services.
The Assistant Chief Counsel for Information Law provides executive direction and oversight of all aspects of legal services supporting the Agency’s activity on three major sub-practices: (1) general information law; (2) intellectual property law, and (3) airmen and aircraft registry associated law.
The general information law practice addresses legal issues related to Voluntary Safety Reporting Programs, FOIA, privacy, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, litigation holds, records management, information system management, collaborative data management, and information collection.
The intellectual property practice area addresses legal issues pertaining to research & development, innovation & emerging technologies, technology transfer (i.e., cooperative research and development agreements), patents and licenses, data rights, copyright, and trademarks.
The Airman and Aircraft Registry practice provides legal advice and services in aircraft and airmen registration.
Principal Responsibilities
- Directs planning, policy development, and execution of all legal aspects relating to General Law programs for the FAA and the Office of the Chief Counsel.
- Renders opinions and interpretations of FAA’s General Law authority and policies consistent with government statutes, Executive Orders, and applicable Department of Transportation and FAA policies.
- Oversees the FAA’s General Law management programs in both headquarters and the regions, including litigation, training, policy direction, and evaluation of services provided by client offices.
- Implements legal aspects of General Law management, related strategic and organizational initiatives, and goals to include tracking and monitoring their completion. Provides expert legal advice regarding all aspects including technology and data issues related to Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, the litigation and legal issues pertaining to e-discover, records management and the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
- Establishes objectives and strategies for subordinates in support of the Information Law goals of the FAA. Directs the work of subordinate managers and staff attorneys working within the Information Law Division.
- Interacts routinely with Executives at the FAA, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice and other Federal agencies, the private sector, and members of Congress and their staffs to ensure the sufficiency and validity of legal analysis provided to execute policy.