White House Counsel

White House Counsel
Incumbent W. Neil Eggleston since June 1, 2014
Formation	1943
First holder	Samuel Irving Rosenman

The White House Counsel is a staff appointee of the President of the United States whose role is to advise the President on all legal issues concerning the President and his Administration. The current White House Counsel is W. Neil Eggleston.

Responsibilities

The Office of Counsel to the President was created in 1943, and is responsible for advising on all legal aspects of policy questions, legal issues arising in connection with the President's decision to sign or veto legislation, ethical questions, financial disclosures, and conflicts of interest during employment and post employment. The Counsel's Office also helps define the line between official and political activities, oversees executive appointments and judicial selection, handles Presidential pardons, reviews legislation and Presidential statements, and handles lawsuits against the President in his role as President, as well as serving as the White House contact for the Department of Justice.

Limitations

Although the White House Counsel offers legal advice to the President, the Counsel does so in the President's official capacity, and does not serve as the President's personal attorney. Therefore, controversy has emerged over the scope of the attorney–client privilege between the Counsel and the President. It is clear, however, that the privilege does not apply in strictly personal matters. It also does not apply to legislative proceedings by the U.S. Congress against the President due to allegations of misconduct while in office, such as formal censures or impeachment proceedings. In those situations the President relies on a personal attorney if he desires confidential legal advice. The office is also distinct from the judiciary, and from others who are not appointed to positions, but nominated by the President, and confirmed by the Senate. These would be foremost the Attorney General of the United States, and his or her principal deputy and other assistants, who are nominated by the President to oversee the United States Department of Justice, or the Solicitor General of the United States and his or her staff (he or she is the third-ranking official in the Justice Department), who argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court (and in lower federal courts) for the Justice Department when it is a party to the case.

List of White House Counsels

External links

• Executive Office of the President
• Records of Thomas E. Stephens, White House Counsel, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
• Diaries of Bernard M. Shanley, White House Counsel, 1953-1955, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
• Records of Gerald Morgan, White House Counsel, 1955-1958, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
• Records of David W. Kendall, White House Counsel, 1958-1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library

White House Counsels
Rosenman Clifford Murphy Shanley Morgan Kendall Sorensen Feldman White Semer McPherson Temple Colson Ehrlichman Dean Garment Casselman Buchen Lipshutz Cutler Fielding Wallison Culvahouse Gray Nussbaum Cutler Mikva Quinn Ruff Nolan Gonzales Miers Fielding Craig Bauer Ruemmler Eggleston McGahn (Designate)

White House Office
Office of Cabinet Affairs Office of the Chief of Staff Office of Communications Office of the Counselor Office of the First Lady Office of Legislative Affairs Office of Management and Administration Oval Office Operations Office of Political Affairs Office of Presidential Personnel Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Office of the Press Secretary Office of Scheduling and Advance Office of the Senior Advisor Office of the Staff Secretary Office of the White House Counsel Office of Policy Development White House Fellows