Mark Silberstein
Chief Counsel
(509) 376-7886
Mission
To provide attorney services as needed to resolve legal issues arising at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Office comprised of the Richland Operations Office (RL), Office of River Protection (ORP). Legal counseling and support includes, but is not limited to: legal issues related to environmental law and regulatory compliance issues; federal procurement and contract law issues; supporting management in matters related labor relations; personnel and employment law; ethics; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO); request for documents under the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA); toxic tort claims; third-party claims; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act; property law matters; appropriations and fiscal law; Native American legal matters; natural and cultural resources; general law; and, litigation, both judicial and administrative, arising from any or all of the above. All legal services are rendered under the professional supervision and oversight of the Department's Office of General Counsel.
Organization Chart
DOE Hanford Office Of Chief Counsel - Organizational Chart
Office of Chief Counsel Services Include:
Procurement, General Law, and Litigation Legal Team
Mission
The mission of Procurement, General Law, and Litigation Legal Team is to:
Provide legal support to DOE RL and ORP in the areas of contract law, general law. and litigation. and throughout the federal procurement process, including negotiations, pre-award, post- award activities and contract administration.
Provide counsel, advice and guidance relative to issues arising from the contractor's performance, including assisting with applicability and interpretation of contract clauses, determinations of allowable cost, contract compliance, claims for equitable adjustment, and final decisions of the contracting officer.
Provide legal counsel, advice and support in matters such as personnel, employment or labor related grievances or claims, government ethics, Federal Torts Claim Act (FTCA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act, Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA), real property, and general law.
Provide legal support and services to DOE RL and ORP in matters of general law and the administration of DOE programs and requirements pertaining to ethics issues to include conflicts of interest and other standard of employee conduct.
Provide oversight and monitoring of the contractor outside legal representation costs in accordance with protocols established by the Department’s Office of General Counsel and is responsible for litigation management activities in accordance with 10 CFR 719, the contractor’s legal management plans and appropriate FAR or DEAR clauses.
Represent DOE RL and ORP before administrative forum and the state courts in all legal matters and assists the Department of Justice in such matters before the Federal Courts. Provide litigation support for the DOE RL and ORP.
Represent the Government in contractor appeals to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and provide legal support to Department of Justice attorneys in appeals to the Court of Federal Claims.
Environment, Safety, and Health Legal Team
Mission
The mission of Environment, Safety, and Health Legal Team is to:
Provide legal counsel, advice and support on environmental, health or safety issues arising at the DOE RL and ORP. This includes but is not limited to matters involving the Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order (HFFACO or Tri-Party Agreement or TPA), matters involving all environmental media, waste management, matters before the Washington Department of Ecology, and matters involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The principle environmental statues include the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Provide legal review, advice and support to the DOE RL and ORP in regard to environmental protection and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable environmental protection laws, regulations, natural and cultural resources, and other requirements.
Office of Chief Counsel Useful Tools
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