OLC's Opinion Writing Function: The Legal Adhesive for a Unitary Executive
Kmiec, Douglas W.
Abstract
From the Judiciary Act of 1789 onward, the Attorney General's primary duty has been to advise the President and the heads of the executive departments on legal matters. A biography of James Monroe's Attorney General, William Wirt, suggests that it is the importance of this opinion function which sets the Attorney General apart from all others in the President's cabinet.