As a new lawyer, have you ever considered a career in government oversight? It’s a broad, important field that ensures a wide range of agencies work as designed while protecting public funds and interests.

Guest Lucy Lang is a former prosecutor now serving as the New York Inspector General. She is charged with overseeing investigations into corruption, fraud, and abuse in the New York State government (more than 100 agencies) and has been a steady advocate of criminal justice reform. Lang shares her path and passion in this inspiring episode of Young Lawyer Rising.

The complex nature of Lang’s work depends heavily on her ability to lead, a skill she had to learn on her own and is now pressing the legal education field to include in law school curriculum. Seeking out mentors, learning on the job, and taking on new challenges were all part of her career growth. “If not you, then who,” she asks. “Be brave; take the bull by the horns.”

Get an inside look at the workings of government oversight, the value of public service, untangling difficult ethical decisions, and making a positive difference through leadership. It could be just what you need to help you take your next, bold step.

Resources:

New York Offices of the Inspector General

New York State Offices of the Inspector General, Job Postings

Lucy Lang, Wikipedia 

“Lucy Lang ’06: An Advocate for Criminal Justice Reform and Government Integrity,” Columbia University News

Lucy Lang, Selected Publications

“New York State Inspector General Report Finds Persistent Racial Disparities in Discipline Within New York State Prisons”

“NYS Parks Employee Pleads Guilty to Official Misconduct”

New York State government oversight hotline: 1-800-DO RIGHT

New York Offices of the Inspector General on Twitter/X

ABA Section of State and Local Government Law

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division