special counsel

noun

: counsel appointed to fill a particular need: as

a

: a federal government official appointed by the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute government corruption in cases where the Attorney General's office has a conflict of interest

b

: a federal government official appointed to protect federal employees from illegal practices by employers and especially from employer reprisal for whistleblowing

Examples of special counsel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Woodward has argued that Perry cannot legally appoint special counsel to investigate possible contempt charges unless that person falls under the control of the attorney general. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

The former defendants have asked Judge Perry to appoint a special counsel to look into possible misconduct by prosecutors. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

The charges were ultimately dismissed by the federal judge overseeing the case, who said Smith was unlawfully appointed special counsel. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Letitia James has some history with the politically fraught nature of special counsel appointments. — New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for special counsel

• council

Legal Definition

special counsel

noun

: counsel appointed to fill a particular need

specifically, capitalized : a government official charged with protecting employees from illegal practices by employers and especially from employer reprisal for whistleblowing