The Office of Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to NRL's management in all areas of general, administrative, intellectual property, and technology transfer law. The Office reviews all procurement-related actions; reviews NRL scientific papers prior to publication; prepares patent applications and prosecutes the applications through the Patent and Trademark Office; defends against contract protests, other contract litigation, and personnel cases; and advises on other legal matters relating to technology transfer, personnel, fiscal, and environmental law.

NRL Counsel also serves as legal advisor to the Commanding Officer and Director of Research.