Legal Definitions - independent counsel

Definition: An independent counsel is a lawyer hired to provide an unbiased opinion about a case or to conduct an impartial investigation. This type of counsel is often appointed by a governmental branch or agency to investigate alleged misconduct within that branch or agency.

Example: In 1994, an independent counsel was appointed to investigate President Bill Clinton's involvement in the Whitewater controversy. The counsel, Kenneth Starr, ultimately expanded the investigation to include Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky.

This example illustrates how an independent counsel can be appointed to investigate alleged misconduct within a government agency or branch, even if it involves high-ranking officials or the President.

Example: Another example of an independent counsel is Robert Mueller, who was appointed by the Department of Justice to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election and any possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

This example shows how an independent counsel can be appointed to investigate a specific event or situation that may involve political implications or potential conflicts of interest.

Overall, independent counsel plays an important role in ensuring impartiality and fairness in investigations and legal proceedings, especially when there may be concerns about conflicts of interest or bias.