The Office of the General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Commission. OGC provides comprehensive, high quality legal services and resources to the CFTC and its staff to enable the agency to fulfill its mission. In doing so, OGC works collaboratively both internally and externally to create synergies that facilitate sound and effective policymaking, while promoting the highest professional and ethical standards.
About the Office
OGC provides legal services and support to the Commission and all of its programs. These services include: representing the Commission in appellate, bankruptcy, and other litigation; assisting in the performance of adjudicatory functions; providing legal advice and support for Commission programs; drafting and assisting in preparation of Commission regulations; interpreting the CEA; advising on legislative, regulatory, and operational issues; and reviewing legal issues in the Commission’s policymaking and enforcement dockets. The Office of the General Counsel also houses the Office of the Executive Secretariat, as well as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), ethics, privacy, records, library, and e-discovery programs of the Commission.
OGC also houses the CFTC’s whistleblower program. Administered by the CFTC’s Whistleblower Office, the program provides monetary incentives to individuals who come forward to report possible misconduct.
Division in Action
As the Commission’s legal advisor, the OGC is in the unique position of reviewing all substantive regulatory, legislative, litigation, clearing, general law, and administrative matters presented to the Commission. OGC provides guidance to the Commission pertaining to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and rulemaking process. OGC is responsible for the Commission’s Appellate Litigation and advising the Commission on appeals from Proceedings. OGC also advises the Commission on legislative initiatives and inter-agency initiatives, as well as matters of general law and Ethics. Additionally, OGC houses the Commission’s Secretariat, the Information Management, Freedom of Information Act, Ethics, and E-Discovery programs.
OGC currently has five groups within the division: Litigation, Enforcement & Adjudications Group, the Regulatory Group, the General Law Group, the Legislation & Intergovernmental Affairs Group, and the Secretariat & Information Management Group. Although OGC consists of five different groups, the office functions as one unit in fulfilling its responsibilities to the Commission as legal advisor.
Senior Staff
Tyler S. Badgley, General Counsel
Frank Walsh, Acting Deputy General Counsel, General Law
Jordan Minot, Deputy General Counsel, Litigation
Natasha Robinson, Deputy General Counsel, Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs
Melissa Jurgens, Deputy General Counsel, Secretariat & Information Management
Christopher J. Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission
Eugene Smith, Director, Office of Proceedings