Leah Gurowitz is the director of legislative, intergovernmental and public affairs for the D.C. Courts, a job she has held for nearly eight years. Recently, she was named the best spokesperson in D.C. by the CityPaper for the second consecutive year.
How did you get to D.C.?
I was in law school at Vanderbilt, in Nashville, [Tenn.], and wanted to work on Capitol Hill. I was fortunate enough to get an internship with then-Senator [Al] Gore and, soon after I graduated, an offer to serve as deputy press secretary while someone was on leave.
You’re a lawyer. Why did you decide to go into public affairs?
I knew from the start that I didn’t want to do litigation or other more traditional types of legal work. I was interested in government, the balance of powers and how laws are made. In my years in D.C., I have worked in the House, Senate, U.S. Department of Justice, and a public and government relations firm — and now the D.C. Courts. I am incredibly fortunate.
What’s the most interesting thing about your job?
It’s different every day. I find fulfillment in seeing people make real changes in their lives, in family treatment court, or community court diversion programs that help them conquer substance abuse or get job training. It’s about real people.
What’s the most challenging thing?
The ever-changing media environment — it puts a lot of pressure on reporters to condense complex legal matters into short sound bites and stories.
What’s the most interesting fact or facts about the D.C. Courts?
The true spirit of public service that the judges and court employees demonstrate. It was something that really struck me when I first took the job. The common purpose of making the courts truly open to all, trusted by all and with justice for all is what makes working at the courts so satisfying.
