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Legal Intern and Fellow Comments
What Former POGO Legal Interns and Fellows Have to Say
As POGO's legal fellow for the past 14 months, I was assigned the task of overhauling the Federal Contractor Misconduct Database. The Database is a significant part of POGO's website, and I was at first amazed at the level of responsibility and independence I was allowed. In time, I came to realize the level of trust POGO places in not only its fellows, but its interns as well; while collaboration and supervision is no doubt present (as it is for all staff members), a sense of ownership for each assignment is certainly felt. This does not detract, however, from the team-environment that POGO fosters – from the Executive Director to the interns, each voice is heard and equally considered. For all of these reasons, POGO has a fantastic office culture. The staff operates like a family, and achieves results while doing so.
Kevin Phelps, January 2005- March 2006
George Washington University Law School
I spent the summer working primarily with POGO's General Counsel, and the highlight was working on a First Amendment lawsuit filed by POGO against Attorney General John Ashcroft. We alleged that Attorney General Ashcroft illegally retroactively classified information that had been in the public sphere and on the internet for nearly two years. In coordination with my research for our case against Attorney General Ashcroft, I wrote a lengthy memo on the state secrets privilege.
Additionally, I prepared legal memoranda pertaining to internal employment and development issues.
If you're looking to work in an organization where the goal is to make our government accountable to its citizenry and believe in social justice, POGO is the place for you!
However, please be forewarned, there are no positions available, as I will be keeping POGO all to myself.
Nadia Asancheyev, Summer 2004
Georgetown Law
Working as an fellow at the Project On Government Oversight was a truly worthwhile learning experience, allowing me to become familiar with the day-to-day realities of American politics.
Having interned at a number of other organizations, I was surprised by the amount of autonomy and responsibility the POGO staff allowed me. When I first arrived, I was immediately placed on the FEC reform research team and did a significant portion of the number crunching that culminated in the POGO report: At The Federal Election Commission Things Don't Add Up. After only three months I was heading up an investigation into mismanagement of toll road money.
Finally, the POGO staff is an amazing group of people who consistently go out of their way to enrich your experience and make you feel part of the team. And they never abused me with too much grunt work. My tenure at POGO was a great start to my career in the public interest world.
Kevin Moss, POGO fellow 2000-2001
New York University Law School
