John Luce is the General Counsel for NOAA. He is responsible for advising the agency on legal matters arising from the conduct of NOAA’s mission and he also oversees the Office of General Counsel’s personnel, budget, and strategic planning. Mr. Luce previously served as the NOAA General Counsel from 2018 to 2021. Prior to returning as NOAA’s General Counsel in 2025, John served as the Director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center where he was responsible for administering all aspects of the liability and compensation provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, including the management of the multi-billion dollar Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Mr. Luce has also worked for the Department of Homeland Security as an attorney advisor focusing on issues of congressional oversight, strategic oversight (OIG and GAO), and litigation. He retired from the Coast Guard in 2018. During his time on active duty, his leadership assignments included Chief of General Law, Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General and Chief of Legal Policy and Program Development, and Chief of Claims and Litigation. He also served as an admiralty trial attorney at the Department of Justice, Coast Guard senior appellate government counsel, and staff attorney assignments in operational law and procurement.

In addition to his legal assignments, Mr. Luce served as a Coast Guard Budget and Programs Reviewer. Prior to attending law school, he served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter HORNBEAM and at Coast Guard Headquarters. Mr. Luce is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and The George Washington University Law School.

Visit: Office of the General Counsel for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration