Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel functions as the chief legal advisor to the Governor and the Executive Office of the Governor. The Office provides counsel to the Governor and executive staff on legal issues concerning the Executive Branch; represents the Governor in his official capacity in lawsuits and otherwise oversees litigation involving executive agencies; provides ethics advice to the Governor and executive staff; advises the Governor on appointments to state courts and the Judicial Nominating Commissions; advises the Governor on clemency and prisoner transfer issues; advises the Governor on executive reassignments and suspensions of public officers; provides legal review of policy proposals and draft legislation; and oversees or otherwise serves as the Governor’s liaison to the general counsels of state agencies. The Office of General Counsel also provides legal support to the Governor in his capacity as a member of the Administration Commission and the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission and performs other specific functions, such as educating and investigating notaries public and reviewing law enforcement and agency policies pertaining to victims’ rights.