Daniel J. Dell'Orto

Defense Legal Services Agency is a U.S. Department of Defense agency that provides legal advice and services for the Defense Agencies, DoD Field Activities, and other assigned organizations. The Defense Legal Services Agency provides advice to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense regarding all legal matters and services performed within, or involving, the Department of Defense; oversee, as appropriate, legal services performed within the Department of Defense, including determining the adherence by attorneys in the Department of Defense to appropriate professional standards and Provide for the coordination of significant legal issues, including litigation involving the DoD and other matters before the Department of Justice in which DoD has an interest. The Office of the General Counsel is headed by the General Counsel of the Department of Defense, which is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate, the General Counsel is by law the Chief Legal Officer of the Department of Defense. The agency was established in August 1953 through the Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 and by Defense Directive 5145.1.