This past summer, 2L Mandi Bruns had the honor of being selected as the inaugural Philip Foglia Summer Legal Intern at the NYC Office of the Inspector General’s Office. The Philip Foglia Summer Legal Internship was created in honor of dedicated Haub Law alumnus Philip Foglia who passed away in 2020. Mandi Bruns applied for the internship to further her interest in government investigations. “This internship opportunity really appealed to me. I worked on government investigation matters while working as a legal assistant at a law firm for many years. I am also inspired by Phil Foglia's commitment to fighting organized crime and public corruption, as well as his notorious devotion to community.”
This summer, at the Office of the Inspector General, Mandi had the opportunity to conduct legal research, write memos, attend interviews, discuss ongoing investigations with investigative counsel, and more. “I learned to value the impact that legal research can have on an active investigation.” While there were many highlights, Mandi notes that one that really sticks out to her was having the opportunity to speak with the Inspector General, Lucy Lang, about her experience doing defense versus prosecution work in the City. “I came into law school laser focused on doing defense work, but it was really rewarding getting the perspective of former prosecutors and how they feel they can ensure a fair process throughout the criminal justice system. The IG leads an office with a mentorship mentality. Everyone was fantastic at involving me in their work and explaining the process of an investigation. I came out of the internship learning so much, from how an investigation begins to how it can end in recommending charges to a prosecutor. I hope that I made both the Foglia family and Pace community proud.”
A member of Haub Law’s Class of 1980, Phil Foglia began his legal career at the Bronx DA’s Office. He was later a Special Assistant US Attorney in the SDNY, a partner at a private firm, the Executive VP of SEBCO, and in August 2019, he retired after a lengthy career with the Office of the New York Inspector General as Chief of Investigations and Special Deputy Inspector General. He was also very dedicated to charitable and community work, serving as the pro bono legal counsel for the Bronx Special Olympics and co-founding the Child Reach Foundation. He retired from the Ispector General’s office in 2019.
Learn more about Phil Foglia and the Philip Foglia Summer Legal Internship at the NYC Office of the Inspector General’s Office in the 2022 Haub Law Alumni Magazine.