Office of Legal Policy

Office of Legal Policy (OLP) Organizational Chart - printable PDF

The Office of Legal Policy (OLP) was originally established in 1981 by merging the Office for Improvements in the Administration of Justice, the Office of Information Law and Policy, and the Office of Privacy and Information Appeals.

The mission of OLP is to develop and implement the Department’s significant policy initiatives, handle special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, coordinate with other interested Department components and other Executive Branch agencies, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. OLP also reviews and coordinates all regulations promulgated by the Department and all of its components, assists the Attorney General with responsibilities in recommending candidates for federal judgeships, and coordinates the judicial nomination and confirmation process with the White House and the Senate.

The major functions of OLP are to:

• Develop strategies and programs to implement legislative, programmatic and policy initiatives.
   
• Serve as a liaison to the Executive Office of the President and other agencies on policy matters.
   
• Conduct policy reviews of legislation and other proposals and support and coordinate Department efforts to advance the Administration’s legislative and policy agenda.
   
• Provide support and policy expertise in conjunction with other components to implement effectively major Department and Administration initiatives in the criminal and civil justice areas.
   
• Coordinate regulatory development and the review of all proposed and final rules developed by all Department components.
   
• Serve as liaison to OMB and other agencies on regulatory matters.
   
• Track and coordinate Department implementation of statutory responsibilities and reporting requirements.