US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

50 U.S.C. § 3520

General Counsel of Central Intelligence Agency

(a)

Appointment

There is a General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b)

Chief legal officer

The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the Central Intelligence Agency.

(c)

Functions

The General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency shall perform such functions as the Director may prescribe.

June 20, 1949, ch. 227, § 20Pub. L. 104–293, title VIII, § 813(a)110 Stat. 3483Pub. L. 108–458, title I, § 1071(b)(2)(D)118 Stat. 3690(, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 403t of this titleSection was formerly classified to prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

Pub. L. 108–4582004—Subsec. (c). struck out “of Central Intelligence” after “Director”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–458section 3001 of this titleFor Determination by President that amendment by take effect on , see Memorandum of President of the United States, , 70 F.R. 23925, set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 108–458section 1097(a) of Pub. L. 108–458section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective not later than six months after , except as otherwise expressly provided, see , set out in an Effective Date of 2004 Amendment; Transition Provisions note under .

Applicability of Appointment Requirements

Pub. L. 104–293, title VIII, § 813(b)110 Stat. 3483

50 U.S.C. 3520“The requirement established by section 20 of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 [], as added by subsection (a), for the appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of an individual to the position of General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency shall apply as follows:
“(1)
To any vacancy in such position that occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(2)
To the incumbent serving in such position on the date of the enactment of this Act as of the date that is six months after such date of enactment, if such incumbent has served in such position continuously between such date of enactment and the date that is six months after such date of enactment.”
, , , provided that: