(a) General Counsel means the General Counsel of the United States Department of Commerce or other Department employee to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority to act under this subpart, or the chief legal officer (or designee) of the Department of Commerce component concerned.

(b) Component means Office of the Secretary or an operating unit of the Department as defined in Department Organization Order 1-1.

(c) Department means the Department of Commerce.

(d) Department employee means any officer or employee of the Department, including commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(e) Legal proceeding means a proceeding before a tribunal constituted by law, including a court, an administrative body or commission, or an administrative law judge or hearing officer.

(f) Official business means the authorized business of the Department.

(g) Secretary means Secretary of Commerce.