The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) protects the legal interests of the Smithsonian Institution. The OGC has 11 attorneys who provide legal advice and counsel to the Board of Regents, Secretary, and other Smithsonian staff on various issues including: the legal nature and administration of the Institution, intellectual property, employment, collections management, contracts, ethics, tax, tort claims, Freedom of Information Act, etc.

The OGC represents the Smithsonian in litigation and other adversarial proceedings to which the Institution is a party and before federal, state, and local government entities on administrative matters; issues final determinations on administrative tort and personal property claims against the Smithsonian; and generally monitors developments in the law for application to Smithsonian programs. The Smithsonian Institution is represented in litigation by the Department of Justice and the Offices of the United States Attorney.

OGC Attorneys:
Judith Leonard, General Counsel
Marsha S. Shaines, Deputy General Counsel
Rachelle V. Browne, Associate General Counsel
Farleigh Earhart, Associate General Counsel
Lauryn H. Guttenplan, Associate General Counsel
Christine Nicholson, Associate General Counsel
Jason Baletsa, Assistant General Counsel
Craig M. Blackwell, Assistant General Counsel
Annette Fancher, Assistant General Counsel
Dan Paisley, Assistant General Counsel
Eryn Starun, Assistant General Counsel
Jim Wilson, Assistant General Counsel