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Organization, Mission and Functions Manual

Organization, Mission and Functions Manual

Office of Professional Responsibility

Office of Professional Responsibility organization chart
OPR Organizational Chart

  • Counsel
    • Deputy Counsel
      • Executive Officer
      • Associate Counsel
        • Assistant Counsel
      • Associate Counsel
        • Assistant Counsel
      • Associate Counsel
        • Assistant Counsel
      • Associate Counsel
        • Support Staff
        • Paralegal Staff

Signed by John D. Ashcroft Attorney General
May 2, 2002

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) was established in 1975 by Attorney General Edward H. Levi by Attorney General Order No. 635-74. OPR’s mission is to ensure that Department of Justice attorneys perform their duties in accordance with the high professional standards expected of the nation’s principal law enforcement agency.

Under A.G. Order No. 2835-2006 (71 FR 54412-01), OPR has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct against Department attorneys that relate to the exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice, including allegations of professional misconduct against Department immigration judges. OPR also has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct against Department law enforcement personnel that relate to allegations of attorney misconduct within the jurisdiction of OPR.

The major functions of OPR are to:

  • Receive and review allegations of professional misconduct against Department attorneys, criminal investigators, and other law enforcement personnel.
     
  • Review judicial findings of misconduct or judicial criticism of Department attorneys to determine whether an investigation is warranted.
     
  • Conduct preliminary inquiries to determine whether the allegations warrant action by OPR or referral to another component within the Department.
     
  • Conduct full investigations of allegations of misconduct when warranted.
     
  • Report findings of attorney misconduct to the Professional Misconduct Review Unit.
     
  • Refer matters to the appropriate component head for corrective action as an administrative, management, or personnel matter.
     
  • Report to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General issues identified during the course of an investigation that may significantly impact Department policies and procedures.
     
  • Report findings of professional misconduct against Department attorneys to appropriate state attorney disciplinary authorities.
     
  • Receive and review proposals from within the Department to refer to state attorney disciplinary authorities’ professional misconduct by non-Department attorneys and make referrals when warranted.
     
  • Serve as the Department’s liaison to the National Organization of Bar Counsel and to state attorney disciplinary authorities.
     
  • Receive and review allegations of retaliation taken against an employee or applicant who discloses to OPR information concerning the alleged misconduct of Department attorneys or law enforcement personnel.
     
  • Receive and review FBI whistleblower retaliation allegations to ensure that FBI employees are protected from reprisal when they report misconduct.
     
  • Recommend and implement improvements in the Department’s system for receiving and reviewing misconduct allegations against Department attorneys.
     
  • Identify and report to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General significant issues and trends in misconduct allegations against Department attorneys and recommend corrective action when appropriate.
     
  • Support the Department’s efforts to ensure that Department attorneys maintain the highest ethical standards by participating in training, conferences, and policy development initiatives when appropriate.
     
  • Undertake any other special assignments that the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General directs.