Consiglieri

Consiglieri (singular consigliere) is an Italian term meaning adviser or counselor. It derives from consiglio, meaning “council” or “advice.” In ordinary Italian usage, a consigliere is someone who provides guidance, and the word is also used for members of deliberative bodies such as municipal or regional councils. In legal or corporate contexts, terms like consigliere legale are used to denote a legal counsel or adviser.

In the context of organized crime, especially the Sicilian and American Mafia, a consigliere is a senior adviser to the boss. The role is to offer strategic counsel, mediate internal disputes, and conduct sensitive negotiations with outsiders. Duties and authority vary among families; some view the consigliere as an independent voice who speaks frankly to the boss, while others see the position as part of the inner circle.

In popular culture, the concept is widely recognized, most famously in The Godfather, where Tom Hagen serves as the consigliere to Don Vito Corleone, and in other crime dramas such as The Sopranos. In Italy, consiglieri can also be elected municipal or regional councillors, i.e., members of a council who participate in local governance.

Thus, consiglieri denotes both a formal advisory role in governance and a traditional rank within criminal organizations, with meanings that depend on context. The English equivalents include adviser, counselor, or councilor.