Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5145.01
December 2, 2013
Incorporating Change 2, Effective January 30, 2015
DA&M DCMO
SUBJECT: General Counsel of the Department of Defense (GC DoD)
References: See Enclosure
1. PURPOSE. This directive:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 5145.01 (Reference (a)) to update the responsibilities
and functions, relationships, and authorities of the GC DoD, pursuant to the authority vested in
the Secretary of Defense by sections 113 and 140 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.)
(Reference (b)).
b. Incorporates and cancels Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum (Reference(c)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This directive applies to the OSD, the Military Departments, the Office
of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant
Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense
Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the DoD (referred to
collectively in this directive as the “DoD Components”).
3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS. The GC DoD is the chief legal officer of the
DoD and:
a. Advises the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense regarding all legal
matters and services performed within or involving the DoD.
b. Provides legal advice to OSD organizations and, as appropriate, other DoD Components.
c. Oversees, as appropriate, legal services performed within the DoD, including establishing
professional responsibility standards and determining, or referring to the cognizant authority,
DoD attorneys’ adherence to these standards, except within the Office of the General Counsel to
the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, pursuant to section 8(h) of the Appendix to
