Meet Government Accountability Project’s Summer Interns – Part 3
Every summer, Government Accountability Project hosts interns in departments across the organization. This summer, we are featuring our interns on our blog to learn more about their work and what drives their interest in whistleblowers, legislation, and investigations. Read more about our interns in Part 1 and Part 2!
Victor Goldhush – Legislative Intern
Victor is a rising 3L at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and is from McLean, Virginia. He came to Government Accountability Project through Tom Devine’s whistleblower clinic at UDC after trying out various types of law classes.
While at Government Accountability Project, Victor gathers staffers on Capitol Hill, attends meetings to learn more about the legislative process and works on legislation for whistleblower protections for government contractors. Additionally, he’s completing legal research on cases, legal interpretation, and understanding the reasons and importance of amendments. “Since statutory interpretation isn’t covered much in school, it’s a good skill to learn through this internship,” explained Victor.
Aside from law school and interning, he enjoys playing video games, watching TV, and biking. Eventually, Victor wants to have his own legal practice and start writing books.
Ian Lynch – Legislative Intern
From East Hampton, New York, Ian is a rising 2L at Georgetown University Law Center. He came to Government Accountability Project after researching nonprofits involved in labor and employment law. “I was excited to apply to an organization that protects people. I have always had respect for whistleblowers.”
His projects and responsibilities include legal research on litigation cases and coordinating with Capitol Hill staffers to partner on legislation. Additionally, Ian works on international whistleblower laws to align them with best practices for effective whistleblower legislation. Through the rest of his internship, Ian is excited to work on more legislative advocacy rights within the United States.
As a hybrid intern, he says his in-person and virtual interactions have been wonderful. “I enjoy a hybrid work environment, where I can interact with people. Everyone is very responsive, friendly, and intelligent,” says Ian.
“Eventually, my career goal is to contribute to the public good, whether that’s in government, a policy nonprofit, or another setting where I can do work, such as representing employment and working disputes. I want to contribute to the public good in some way,” He explained.
Outside of the internship, Ian enjoys playing golf, reading nonfiction books, and playing chess. Since he went to film school before attending law school, Ian also loves to watch movies.
Thomas Tait – Harvard Institute of Politics Director’s Intern
Thomas is from southern New Jersey and is a rising sophomore at Harvard University studying Government. He came to Government Accountability Project with an interest in how the government can improve its internal functions and interest in working alongside whistleblowers who want to hold people accountable.
Thomas works with Director of Education, Dana Gold, on Democracy Protection Initiative functions before the 2024 election and works with Tom Devine on a whistleblower protection bill for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since beginning his internship, he has learned how to collaborate with people in a remote setting and is learning about how the gears turn in nonprofits. In addition to his legislative work and development of Democracy Protection Initiative, he also is gaining insight on the efficiency of the litigation process.
“The career goal is to work in public service,” explains Thomas. “I want to improve things for people through local government or nonprofits.”
When not interning with Government Accountability Project, Thomas enjoys reading memoirs, such as President Obama’s A Promise Land, watching and playing sports, and going to the gym everyday as a type of meditation.