Hear why OGC is the best place to grow and expand your career!
Carlos Quijada, Trial Attorney, Region IV (Atlanta)
“I work at HUD for our mission! It is rewarding to be part of a team that ensures safe, affordable housing for the community. HUD’s mission aligns with my passion and interest in the intersectionality of housing, health, and human rights.”
Why is it meaningful for you to work at HUD OGC?
Housing instability is an important structural determinant of poor health outcomes among transwomen and people of color. It makes me happy to work on Fair Housing cases where we can address intersectional discrimination by positively impacting housing stability.
Why did you choose a career in HUD OGC?
As an immigrant, I owe a great deal to our country, and being a public servant allows me to give back and make a difference in my community. Before choosing HUD OGC, I spoke to HUD attorneys and it was evident how smart, professional, and warm the HUD OGC attorneys were. They expressed how lucky they felt working for OGC and how good the work-life balance was for them. More importantly, they all told me how gratifying it was to improve lives and strengthen communities. After personally working in HUD OGC, I echo their sentiments and know I made the right choice choosing a career here.
What was your journey to OGC?
I was part of the 2019 Legal Honors Attorney class and worked in OGC Caribbean Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Prior to HUD, I served as a Third-Class Petty Officer Logistics Specialist in the US Navy, where I was stationed in NAS Jacksonville with one tour supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. While furthering my education, I worked in real estate as a property manager for a student housing multifamily property in Gainesville, Florida. After completing my master’s in Public Health, I worked in the field in the Caribbean and interned at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
Elan Adounvo, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Ethics, Appeals and Personnel Law, Ethics Division (Headquarters)
“One thing that I appreciate about HUD OGC is the diversity. Being a woman of color, I find it refreshing to see such a diverse OGC. HUD’s mission draws individuals of every race, culture, religion, etc.”
When did you start working for HUD and in what position(s)?
I started working at HUD in August of 2015 in the Personnel Law Division (PLD). After three years, I moved to the Ethics Law Division. Prior to working at HUD, I always knew I wanted to be a public servant and work for the federal government. I spent my time in undergrad and law school interning at different federal agencies to understand Administrative Law and to discover which areas of the law I love.
What is special about working in HUD’s Counsel’s Office?
For the work that we do at HUD, it is important for me that the Department and OGC be representative of the American people, and HUD does not fall short in this area! Additionally, what makes HUD OGC special is we don’t just celebrate the wins of the Agency, but we celebrate and uplift each other’s professional and personal accomplishments. Your colleagues at HUD don’t stay your colleagues, they become your friends and I have had the pleasure of making lifelong friends at HUD. Not only do I have the support of my colleagues but OGC as a Department works tirelessly to ensure all of OGC is taken care of. From training opportunities to an amazing mentoring program, to endless opportunities to rotate through other offices, HUD OGC ensures that whatever you need for your personal and professional development is available. And this is why I find HUD OGC a great place to work.
Sam Yekrang, Financial Analyst, Department Enforcement Center, Los Angeles Satellite Office
“Everyone in the Departmental Enforcement Center (DEC) has been very welcoming and helpful. The workplace schedule and location flexibilities are very helpful with work-life balance.”
What do you consider to be the most interesting part of your job as an analyst in the DEC?
Learning about all the different ways HUD is involved in helping to provide communities affordable housing opportunities. In my position as a DEC analyst, I learn about the different HUD program areas, approaches and agreements HUD uses to achieve these goals and all the different stakeholders that are involved. The people are what makes the DEC a great place to work. My supervisor has been a pleasure to work with and is very knowledgeable.
What do you do day-to-day in the Satellite Office?
My days vary based on the type of work. Most of the time it’s a combination of working on financial referrals that are submitted to the DEC from other departments to be resolved, as well as working with a team on one of the DEC’s Snapshot reviews where we conduct a compliance review of an entity for various reasons.
What did you do before joining HUD?
I started my career in the private sector and worked in a combination of mortgage, sales, and commercial finance jobs for about nine years. I then got my start in the Federal government at the Department of Defense where I worked for eight years primarily conducting audits of defense contracts before coming to the DEC.
Helen Huang, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Insured Housing, Multifamily Mortgage Division (Headquarters)
“The most interesting part of my work in HUD OGC is the variety of legal issues and subject matter I come across while counseling our HUD program clients and working with industry stakeholders.”
What do you consider to be the most interesting part of your job?
In the face of novel issues, I enjoy the independent thinking and collaboration with colleagues to develop new ideas and problem-solving strategies. I relish a good challenge in my work, and there is a right amount of complexity and unpredictability to allow me to end the workday feeling satisfied.
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
My interest in the mission and impact of HUD’s work drew me to HUD OGC, but the reason I stay is the inclusive and supportive work environment created by the people I work with. While I received a lot of designated support and resources during my Legal Honors year, I continue to work in an environment that fosters camaraderie and growth. The learning hasn’t stopped, and I’m grateful that I get to work alongside my amazing and dedicated colleagues.
What was your journey to OGC?
I joined HUD through the Legal Honors Program in 2019 and have been with the Multifamily Mortgage Division ever since. I’ve always been interested in public service and interned for various state agencies throughout law school. While I was interning for my state housing finance agency, I got a glimpse of the impact and importance of HUD’s work, which made me apply for the HUD Legal Honors Program.
Samuel Gieryn, Attorney-Advisor, Kansas City
“OGC is a great place to work, particularly in a regional office, because there is so much opportunity to diversify your practice and follow your interests.”
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
OGC is a great place to work, particularly in a regional office, because there is so much opportunity to diversify your practice and follow your interests. I have worked on special projects with HQ, completed rotational assignments with different offices within OGC such as the Office of Legislation and Regulation, and been exposed to a wide variety of work in my own office beyond just closing FHA mortgage insurance. If you express an interest in specific work, I have always found my OGC colleagues ready and willing to find opportunities in that area.
What was your journey to OGC?
I joined HUD in March 2014 as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Office of Environment and Energy in Region VII-Kansas City, and moved to the Office of General Counsel in Region VII in 2019.
Freida Edwards-King, Paralegal Specialist, Fort Worth
“HUD OGC provides endless training opportunities to all its employees. Management has been super supportive and encouraging to ensure that employees have the resources available to be successful.”
Why did you choose a career in HUD OGC?
I realized working for HUD OGC would allow me to continue my passion for helping people and servicing my community, and allow me to learn so much more while advancing my paralegal skills. I was fortunate that all the puzzle pieces fit and was selected as a Pathway Paralegal for Fort Worth in Region VI.
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
The great support system, networking opportunities, and leadership that is exhibited throughout makes HUD OGC great. Not only do they care about your professional growth but are equally concerned about your personal growth.
What did you do before starting with HUD?
Prior to HUD I worked for a legal aid in Texas and a volunteer paralegal for 15 years. While employed I worked with many legal associations collaborating on community projects in my area.
Shadi Traish, Attorney-Advisor, Atlanta
“HUD is an agency whose mission is to increase and preserve affordable housing, and I knew I wanted a career with a department that aligns with my values."
Why did you choose a career in HUD OGC?
Before coming to HUD, I found the common thread between populations I was serving (homeless veterans, runaway adolescents, and ex-offenders with severe mental illness) was the lack of access to safe and affordable housing. HUD is an agency whose mission is to increase and preserve affordable housing, and I knew I wanted a career with a department that aligns with my values.
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
HUD OGC provides the opportunity to work with an extraordinary team of fellow attorneys and paralegals working towards common housing goals. In my career at HUD, I've benefited from the opportunity to hone my skills and challenge myself with solving novel legal issues. The work-life balance is also outstanding; between telework and scheduling flexibility, HUD-OGC is an excellent employer for attorneys with young kids.
What was your journey to OGC?
I joined HUD in January 2017 as an Attorney Advisor. Prior to coming to HUD, I was a Clinical Licensed Social Worker with Department of Veteran’s Affairs and HUD joint project to provide housing for veterans experiencing homelessness. My role included providing outreach, social advocacy, and community-based intensive case management services for homeless veterans. I also worked as a case manager in an Ohio state prison, where I facilitated reentry programs and served inmates with severe mental health issues.
Jonathan Stoughton, Trial Attorney, Office of Litigation (Headquarters)
“Through the OGC Legal Honors program I’ve received excellent professional development, mentorship, and the flexibility to do the work that I want to do.”
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
The great people and the work they do are what make HUD OGC a great place to work. HUD has an important mission to help build strong communities that support quality and affordable housing for everyone. And everyone I’ve worked with in OGC takes that to heart. The greatness comes through in more ways than just the substantive work–OGC is full of people trying to make their offices more efficient and effective, responsive to client needs, and supportive of the staff.
What was your journey to OGC?
I joined HUD in 2021 as a Legal Honor. Before attending law school, I served as an infantryman for seven years in the U.S. Army.
Stephon Woods, Trial Attorney, Office of Fair Housing, Enforcement Division (Headquarters)
“My day-to-day is varied, which is what I love about this job.”
What does your day-to-day work look like?
My duties include investigating and litigating novel or complex Fair Housing Act cases from around the country—often on precedent setting cases. Additionally, I work collaboratively with other HUD offices and other government agencies on groundbreaking high-priority initiatives for the Department, such as appraisal discrimination and access to housing for individuals with criminal records. I also advise the Department on compliance with the Fair Housing Act and support in the drafting and review of agency regulations and guidance. There is never a dull day!
What was your journey to OGC?
I started at OGC in April 2021. Prior to working at HUD, I was an Assistant Attorney General with the District of Columbia Office, where I litigated housing enforcement cases on behalf of residents. Prior to that, I was a Staff Attorney in the Housing Law practice at a nonprofit in Washington, DC representing DC residents in eviction cases.
Renee Huestis, Paralegal Specialist, Nashville Field Office
“While I may not personally know those impacted by the work we do each day, I do know my efforts make a difference in the lives of others--the mission of HUD fuels my personal passion for helping others.”
What makes HUD OGC a great place to work?
I came to HUD under the Pathways Program and was looking for career progression. Since being hired in HUD OGC, every career goal I set has been surpassed. I am so grateful that HUD OGC Leadership saw value in me and provided an open door.
At HUD, the sky is the limit and I for one am so excited that I get to spread my wings and fly.
I also love to mentor and share information with new hires and my peers. While HUD is a large agency, it still feels small and personable. People are always willing to go the extra mile and share their knowledge.
What did you do before starting with HUD?
I began my federal career with the Department of Defense Education Activity in Germany. Upon returning to the U.S., I worked with the Federal Aviation Administration.
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