Summer Experience: Noah Gallagher ’21, ’26L Noah Gallagher spent the summer at the Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General in Washington, D.C.

Noah Gallagher ’21, ’26L

Noah Gallagher ’21, ’26L is a second-year law student at Washington and Lee University and is originally from Grand Junction, Colorado. Between his undergraduate and law school educations at W&L, he served as an aide to United States Senator Michael Bennet, who represents Colorado. Noah is an active member of the W&L community, serving as a Hearing Advisor for students accused of Honor Violations and as a Staff Writer for W&L’s Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

What did you do for work this summer?

I had the opportunity to intern for the Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General (OPM OIG) in Washington, D.C., an independent office dedicated to the oversight of OPM programs, including the health and benefit services provided to millions of federal employees.

How did you find this position?

The contact information for the hiring manager was listed on W&L Law’s job board. I emailed her directly with a resume, cover letter, and transcript. The interviewers were friendly, and the process went smoothly.

Describe your work experience.

I was one of two interns at OPM OIG, which gave me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, from conducting legal research into Freedom of Information Act exemptions to presenting information on administrative subpoenas for our agency’s auditors and investigators.

What were some skills you developed this summer?

This summer gave me the opportunity to build on the legal research and writing skills that I have been learning at W&L and allowed me to see more of the day-to-day practice of law, particularly as it relates to government investigations and the important mission of Inspectors General.

What surprised you about the work you did this summer?

Before my time at OPM OIG, I did not realize how significant Inspectors General were for preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in federal agencies. For every $1 spent, Inspectors General return $26 to the American taxpayer.

What was your favorite aspect of this summer work experience?

I was particularly impressed by my kind and hardworking colleagues. They were easy to work with and we plan on staying in touch.

Has this experience helped you figure out post graduate plans, and if so, how?

I believe that my summer internship was very helpful to that end. I was able to get an inside view of a little-known but very important corner of government operations. I learned about the extensive network of Inspector General offices across the federal government and how they operate and interact. After graduation, whether I join a litigation firm or serve in some fashion in state or federal government, I will be able to leverage this experience to navigate complex regulatory environments and contribute to promoting accountability and transparency in all aspects of my work.

How do you think this experience will shape the rest of your time at W&L Law?

I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend another summer in D.C., building on my two years of work prior to law school. These experiences not only solidified my interest in public service and litigation but also offered valuable insights into government investigations and administrative law that are directly relevant to much of my coursework here at W&L Law.