Daniel Sigal
Special Agent, National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General
Fox Rothschild, 2008-2011
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2008
- B.A., Drew University, 2005
What do you do as a special agent at the National Science Foundation?
The NSF’s mission is to fund scientific research, and in the big picture, that means we’re broadening humanity’s horizons and its understanding of the universe. The Office of Inspector General investigates how that money is used. We protect the taxpayer’s dollar by rooting out fraud, waste and abuse. I enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference.
How did you transition from attorney to law enforcement officer?
I joined the NSF OIG in 2012 as an investigative attorney, a role unlike most legal positions at other federal agencies. My role involved legal analysis and investigating cases. I enjoyed the investigative work, so when there was an opportunity in 2015 to become a federal law enforcement officer and special agent, I took it.
Of course, as an agent, whether I’m executing a warrant, conducting an arrest or investigating a case, the skills that I developed as a lawyer come in handy every day. Knowing legal procedure is very helpful.
Although many special agents in the government tend to have a legal background, at the NSF it’s a mix. Many people here are former local police officers and some are former accountants.
What has surprised you about your life after working in Big Law?
Before I joined the NSF, I never expected in a million years that I would be a special agent. At no point did I expect that I would carry a weapon on the job, as I do now when I conduct a search warrant or make an arrest. Although my cases are white-collar-oriented and paper-heavy – we’re investigating scientists at universities and businesses – we have to take precautions. I had never fired a gun until my first day of training. Now I’m the firearms instructor for our office.
Who was one of your most memorable mentors?
Julie Goldstein, a litigation partner at Fox in the Warrington office, was a senior associate when I was at the firm. She was always a great example to me of how to manage matters and how to be respectful and considerate of your professional adversaries in litigation. Overall, I noticed that the lawyers at Fox who I worked with were able to have a good work-life balance and were willing to be mentors. I have very positive memories of my time there.
