Jay Lerner
Fellow

Jay Lerner

Member Since 1969

Biography

During my 31 years of Federal Government service, I worked at several agencies -- including 13 years at the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, 6 years at the Department of Homeland Security, and 12 years in the Inspector General (IG) community.

I served as the Inspector General at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position, where I oversaw an office of 150 employees conducting oversight of the agency. In addition, I held leadership roles with the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and as a member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.

During my tenure, I worked on a variety of matters including: Helping start up two new agencies (Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration); Representing the Government before international bodies, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, Group of Eight, and others; Leading an overseas training program for foreign prosecutors; Improving response capabilities after a financial crisis and a hurricane natural disaster; and Investigating the causes of the financial crisis on behalf of a statutorily-authorized commission.

I am an adjunct Professor at American University and George Washington University, where I teach courses on financial crimes, criminal justice, and government oversight. Also, I am an expert consultant for the Government Accountability Office, Center for Audit Excellence.

History of Employment

Position Division Organization Start End
Inspector General Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 2017 2023
Chief of Staff, Senior Counsel Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice 2011 2017
Assistant Chief Fraud Section, Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice 2008 2011
Investigator Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission 2010 2010
Associate General Counsel, Chief Counsel for Securiity Office of the General Counsel U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2003 2008
Deputy Chief Counsel Office of Chief Counsel, Transportation Security Administration U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2002 2003
Counsel Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice 2001 2002
Legal Advisor Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance & Training U.S. Department of Justice 2000 2000
Special Assistant Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice 1997 2000
Trial Attorney Narcotic & Dangerous Drug Section, Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice 1994 1997
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia U.S. Department of Justice 1995 1995
Trial Attorney Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice 1992 1994
Associate Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft 1991 1992
Associate Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn 1988 1991

Expertise

Primary Sector

Federal

Primary Functions

Academic Faculty Change Management Enterprise Risk Management Intergovernmental Organizational Structure/Design/Development Performance Measurement Program Evaluation Strategic Planning
Back to All Fellows