Office of the Solicitor

With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, our Office performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred total employees, more than four hundred of which are licensed attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission. The Office of the Solicitor conducts the mission of providing legal counsel and advice to the Department and inspiring high ethical standards. The Office provides legal representation and other services to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, the Assistant Secretaries, and all Department bureaus and offices, ensuring that components of the Department carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and supporting the entire spectrum of the Department's broad mission. SOL attorneys represent the Department in administrative hearings and work in conjunction with the Department of Justice in representing the Department in judicial proceedings throughout the United States. SOL also provides legal assistance in drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, regulations, contracts, title documents, and other legal instruments, in addition to managing the Department's Ethics Office and Freedom of Information Act Office.