The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Ethics and Personnel Law provides legal support for non-programmatic issues involving the employment of Federal employees.  The office serves as program counsel for the Offices of the Chief Human Capital Officer, the Director of Economic Impact and Diversity, and Public Affairs.  [BS1] It administers the Department's standards of conduct program for Federal employees.

Generally speaking, the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Ethics and Personnel Law handles legal issues that are cross-cutting across program areas, including:

  • Managing the Department’s standards of conduct program, including the review of financial disclosure reports filed by employees and the conduct of mandatory ethics training for employees.
  • Conducting legal review as part of the processing of candidates for Presidential Appointments, non-career SES, and Schedule C positions.
  • Providing legal advice on requirements and restrictions related to accepting gifts, conflicting financial interests, impartiality in performing official duties, seeking other employment, misuse of position, engaging in outside activities, engaging in political activities, and other ethics restrictions.  The Office also provides advice on the restrictions that apply to the employment activities of former Federal employees.
  • Reviewing Departmental reorganizations.
  • Providing legal advice on labor relations and Federal personnel matters; and representing the Department in administrative litigation cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
  • Providing legal support on issues involving the use of Government aircraft and the application of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
  • Processes Federal Tort Claims Act cases brought against the Department.
  • Contact DOE Office of Ethics and Personnel Law
  • DOE Ethics Advisors
  • Ethics Forms for DOE Employees
  • New Employees
  • Ethics Law Resources
  • Personnel Law Resources