September 8, 2026
Today, James Biggins was sworn in as OGE’s Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel, Ethics Transparency and Assistance Division.
Mr. James Biggins has served the federal government in the nuclear safety sector since 2007. Mr. Biggins became a member of the Senior Executive Service in September 2016 and has been practicing law for over 25 years.
Most recently, he held several executive positions with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board including Chief Security, Risk, and Compliance Officer, Deputy Executive Director for Risk and Strategy, General Manager, Special Assistant to the Chairman, and General Counsel.
At the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Mr. Biggins worked with other senior leadership to further the DNFSB nuclear safety mission. In his various roles, he advised the Board on legal, ethics, and policy matters, crafted the agency Strategic Plan and strategic goals, managed agency operations in human resources, information technology, security, information management, and budget and finance.
While at the DNFSB, Mr. Biggins completed a two-year executive detail to the Department of the Navy as the Special Assistant to the Principal Deputy General Counsel. In this role, he advised on departmental management matters, ethics, nuclear safety, alternative dispute resolution, and strategic systems program matters.
Mr. Biggins began his federal career in 2007 at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as a staff attorney litigating the licensing of new nuclear power plants. He advanced in his career as a senior attorney leading legal teams until he transitioned into a management position in 2010 as the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for rulemaking and nuclear materials regulation. While serving in the Deputy AGC position, Mr. Biggins developed his professional knowledge and leadership skills through several developmental details. In addition, Mr. Biggins completed the NRC Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program in 2016.
Prior to commencing his Federal service, Mr. Biggins practiced environmental litigation for the State of Texas for over six years handling complex air, water, and waste compliance cases. He was also in private practice in Illinois for two years.
Mr. Biggins holds a B.A. from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Political Science with minors in history and economics. He received his law degree from SIU School of Law in 1998. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Texas and to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Biggins lives with his wife and four children in Virginia.