A special counsel is an attorney appointed to investigate a specific issue or person, usually in relation to legal matters. The role of a special counsel is to provide independent and impartial advice on legal matters, often in high-profile cases where there may be concerns about conflicts of interest. A special counsel has the authority to conduct investigations, prosecute criminal offenses, and provide legal advice. They are appointed by a government agency or organization and work independently from that body. The most well-known example of a special counsel is Robert Mueller, who was appointed in 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.