Reading Room Document
Detail of Department of Justice Attorneys to Congressional Committees
The document discusses the legality and ethical implications of "loaning" Department of Justice attorneys to the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee for an 18-month period to work on the proposed revision to the Federal Criminal Code. The conclusion reached is that such an arrangement would be legal, but it raises potential ethical problems, particularly in terms of the attorney's ability to represent the interests of both the Department and the subcommittee. The questions presented for review include the attorney's client, the potential conflict of interest, and the need for consent and full disclosure if the attorney is to have the subcommittee as his client.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit