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THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The General Counsel is appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, with the approval of the President. The Office of the General Counsel provides legal service and guidance for all matters that may arise in the conduct of NOAA's missions. The Organization Chart provides additional information as to the Office’s structure. MISSION STATEMENT The NOAA Office of the General Counsel is a team of professionals advancing the mission and objectives of NOAA by delivering legal services of the highest quality. We are committed to providing sound judgment, thoughtful analysis, and constructive advice through effective communication. In an environment fostering innovation and professional development, we apply the rule of law with integrity, respect for people, and commitment to excellence and the public trust. VALUES Integrity Innovation Teamwork Professional Excellence Effective Communication Public Service ANNOUNCEMENTS EPA ALJs to Hear Newly Docketed NOAA Enforcement Cases. Starting September 8, 2011, all newly docketed NOAA enforcement cases will be heard by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). Working through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's "ALJ Loan Program," which coordinates the temporary loan of ALJs from one agency to another, NOAA has arranged for the EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges to provide NOAA with temporary ALJ Services. ALJs from the EPA have extensive experience handling enforcement cases involving complex federal natural resource statutes, including the Clean Water Act and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, among others. ALJs from the U.S. Coast Guard are expected to continue to handle cases docketed prior to September 8, 2011. The Office of General Counsel periodically has legal job openings on a wide variety of issues involving preservation of coastal areas, marine sanctuaries and marine resources. Job announcements are made available through the USAJobs web site or NOAA’s new NOAA Careers employment information web site. Each year, the Department of Commerce Office of General Counsel and the NOAA Office of the General Counsel recognizes attorneys, paralegals, administrative professionals, line and staff office personnel, and other Federal Agency employees for their exceptional performance and contributions. In addition, several individual, team, and honor awards were also acknowledged at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on February 23, 2011. Information about past award winners can be found at our documents library. On July 11th, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) awarded the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2010 posthumously to Lindy Johnson for her significant contribution to the work of IMO and for the protection of the marine environment. Please see the ceremony and award page for additional information and photos.