FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAPLES, FL., (March 5, 2026)— As congressional investigations into government accountability and high-profile national controversies continue to dominate headlines in Washington, attorneys working behind the scenes on Capitol Hill play a critical role in examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, and helping members of Congress carry out their constitutional oversight responsibilities.

Among those attorneys is Emily Feyerabend, J.D. ’25, an alumna of Ave Maria School of Law who now serves as Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The Committee is one of the most influential investigative bodies in Congress, responsible for examining issues ranging from federal agency conduct to matters involving public corruption, national security, and institutional accountability.

In recent years, congressional oversight has increasingly intersected with investigations that have drawn intense national attention. Among them is the continuing effort to understand the broader network and institutional failures surrounding financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The case, which resulted in Maxwell’s conviction and Epstein’s death while in federal custody, has raised ongoing questions about government oversight, law enforcement responses, and the extent of Epstein’s connections across political, financial, and international circles. Public records and investigative reporting have drawn attention to individuals across multiple sectors of American public life, including former President Bill Clinton and other prominent figures who at various times had contact with Epstein.

Within this environment, attorneys serving congressional committees conduct extensive document reviews, prepare investigative interviews, and assist lawmakers in evaluating evidence as part of Congress’s constitutional role in overseeing the federal government.

For Ave Maria School of Law, the work of congressional oversight reflects principles central to the school’s educational mission. Rooted in the tradition of Fides et Ratio — faith and reason — Ave Law emphasizes the importance of constitutional structure, the rule of law, and the moral responsibilities that accompany positions of legal authority. Careers in government oversight and public accountability require not only legal skill but also a clear understanding of the constitutional framework that separates powers and safeguards liberty. For Feyerabend, the opportunity to contribute to that work on Capitol Hill represents a natural extension of the legal training she received at Ave Maria.

Behind the scenes, the work of congressional oversight is often meticulous and methodical. Attorneys working for investigative committees spend long hours reviewing documents, preparing lines of questioning, and conducting transcribed interviews with witnesses. These sessions function much like formal legal depositions, with attorneys asking detailed questions while court reporters create an official record that may later inform congressional hearings, investigative reports, or legislative action. The process requires careful legal preparation, a deep understanding of constitutional authority, and the ability to question witnesses clearly and effectively.

For Feyerabend, participating in this work so early in her legal career has been both challenging and rewarding. The role places young attorneys at the intersection of law, public policy, and national accountability — an experience few lawyers encounter so soon after graduation.

Recently, she spoke with Ave Maria School of Law about her path to Capitol Hill and how her time at Ave Law helped prepare her for the work she does today.

Note: Because several congressional investigations referenced in this interview remain ongoing, some topics could not be discussed in detail.

Finding a Path to Capitol Hill

Ave Maria School of Law: How did your opportunity with the House Oversight Committee come about?

Emily Feyerabend: The opportunity to join the House Oversight Committee came about back in 2023. I flew up to DC during spring break my 1L year to attend a CPAC event and visit some friends. While at a social event, I met several individuals to whom I expressed my interest in government and politics and my desire to utilize that passion through my law degree. They provided me with several contacts, and from there, I just started sending emails. After several weeks, I got a response from one lawyer on the Hill. Next thing I knew, I was taking interview calls between classes for various congressional committees for a clerkship position for that summer.

I joined the House Oversight Committee as a law clerk in the summer of 2023 following my 1L year. I worked very hard and formed great relationships with my colleagues. It was a natural fit. By the end of my 2L year, I knew I wanted to spend another summer with the Committee. I reached back out, and I was welcomed back to the team.

After two summers clerking for the Committee, I knew it was the place for me. I considered various options in DC, but I ultimately knew I wanted to return and join the team full-time. I received a formal offer for a Professional Staff Member position in May 2025, right after graduation, and I accepted. Then, when I passed the DC Bar in October 2025, I was promoted to Counsel.

Since joining the Committee full-time, I have had the privilege to work on a myriad of issues, ranging from the DC Police Department Manipulation of Crime Statistics investigation, the Rise in Extremism on Online Platforms investigation, the investigation into Planned Parenthood and–still ongoing–the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Role of Advocacy Training

Ave Maria School of Law: How did your experience at Ave Maria Law prepare you for the work you do today?

Emily Feyerabend: Ave Maria Law and, in particular, the Moot Court Board was largely influential in shaping my advocacy skills. There is nothing quite like tangible experience when you’re trying to better hone your skills, and I think that competing in an oral competition each year at Ave was essential to my development as an oralist. Competing gave me a confidence to better articulate my thoughts and arguments that I would not have otherwise had. I urge those interested in advocacy to compete as much as possible!

Now, I am comfortable sitting at the table and conducting transcribed interviews of witnesses on behalf of the Committee, and I look forward to hopefully leading depositions in the near future. Beyond interviews and depositions, sharpening your oral advocacy skills makes you a more well-rounded attorney–one that is able to communicate clearly and effectively and, in my case, better serve the members of Congress on the Oversight Committee.

Advice for Future Lawyers

Ave Maria School of Law: What advice would you give to law students interested in working in government or public service?

Emily Feyerabend: I attribute much of the opportunities I’ve been afforded to consistency. To those interested in government, investigations, public service, and beyond: stay consistent. Stay consistent on following up, on showing up to things, on being present with people. You never know who you may meet when you attend an event with a good attitude, a smile on your face, and a genuine interest in the discussions happening around you. Stay consistent on the caliber of work you put into everything you do. Stay consistent by being reliable and a pleasant person to work with–that goes a long way in politics. And finally, and most importantly: Stay consistent on your beliefs and what you stand for.

For more concrete advice, I would also advise law students to ask yourself what you want to do and why you want to do it. For me, I’ve always loved DC and politics and thought I’d like to work up here. It wasn’t until the end of my first summer clerking with the Oversight Committee that I realized the extent of my passion for accountability in government. It truly excites me–finding ways to explore and challenge constitutional arguments and separations of powers issues, launching investigations to uncover the waste, fraud, and abuses that take place every day in our country and shed light on them to the American people, and also have some fun by meeting cool people and working closely with even cooler colleagues. It’s a real dream come true. I encourage law students to explore various avenues of law and keep searching until you find the thing that makes you jump out of bed in the morning and grin all the way to work.

I am happy to be a resource for those looking to make the move up to DC and pursue a legal career in politics and government. To Ave Law students: please feel free to reach out to me with whatever further questions you may have.

God Bless, and Fides et Ratio.

From Moot Court competitions in Naples to investigative work on Capitol Hill, Feyerabend’s path reflects the growing presence of alumni in public service and national legal institutions. Graduates of the law school increasingly serve in government, the judiciary, private practice, and public policy roles where legal analysis, constitutional understanding, and principled advocacy are essential. For Feyerabend, the opportunity to contribute to congressional oversight at the beginning of her legal career represents both a personal calling and an example of how Ave Maria Law graduates are bringing their training to bear on important issues affecting the nation.

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