General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency

The General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency serves as the agency’s chief legal officer, responsible for overseeing all legal matters related to CIA operations, policies, and activities. The position ensures that the agency operates within U.S. law, executive orders, and applicable international legal frameworks while fulfilling its national security mission. This person also acts as the Chief of the Office of General Counsel , and oversees the staff of this office.

List of General Counsels of the Central Intelligence Agency

The longest serving General Counsel to date was also the first to hold the office, Larry Houston, who held the office for over 26 years, and alongside his lifelong Deputy General Counsel, John S. Warner, also helped write many of the laws that established the office itself.
In 1996, Congress amended the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to require that the CIA's General Counsel be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This legislative change aimed to enhance accountability and strengthen oversight of the CIA's legal affairs. It's important to note that while Jeffrey H. Smith served as General Counsel from 1995 to 1996, his appointment did not require Senate confirmation, as it occurred before the legislative change.
Following Jeffrey H. Smith's tenure as General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1995 to 1996, the position became subject to Senate confirmation due to these legislative changes in 1996. The first individual to be nominated and confirmed under this new requirement was Scott W. Muller, who served as General Counsel from 2002 to 2004. Between 1996 and 2002, John A. Rizzo served as Acting General Counsel, but his formal nomination in 2007 was withdrawn before confirmation.