Mary McLeod has been the Principal Deputy Legal Adviser at the Office of the Legal Adviser since September 2013.
As the senior career attorney in the Office of the Legal Adviser, Ms. McLeod advises the Secretary and other senior officials on all aspects of the Department of State’s international legal work, serves as the alter ego of the Legal Adviser, and manages a bureau of 300 attorneys, support staff, and contractors.
Ms. McLeod first joined the Department of State in 1977 and she previously served as the Legal Adviser to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations and as Assistant Legal Adviser for several offices, including those responsible for political-military affairs, Eastern Asia and Pacific affairs, human rights and refugees, and employment law.