Rachel Urquhart
Rachel Urquhart — an attorney in Argonne’s Office of the General Counsel — was recently chosen for a one-year Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment and has reported for duty in Washington, D.C.
As an Argonne lawyer, Rachel advised the lab on employment, benefits and privacy matters. While on assignment, she will be serving on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Laboratory Operations Board on matters that could ultimately impact Argonne.
The IPA program was something new to Rachel, who happened to be in a meeting with Argonne’s Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations and Chief Operations Officer, Paul Kearns, when he mentioned the opportunity. “It was the first I’d ever heard of it … I took a look at it and realized what a great opportunity it would be, to get some insight on how DOE operates and how other national labs handle problems.”
IPA assignments are open to applicants from all of the national laboratories, Rachel says. “The actual application process went very quickly. Resumes were due to DOE on a Monday.” After a series of interviews, by Friday morning of the same week she had been offered the position.
Rachel credits Kearns with encouraging her to apply. “He has seen me facilitate consensus with different groups.” Her mediation skills also helped her. “Knowing how to listen to all viewpoints and bring matters to completion is something I’ve learned in my legal career.”
General Counsel Will Elias supported Rachel’s IPA assignment. “This was a great development opportunity for Rachel. We miss her, of course, but we are covering her area with both in-house and outside counsel resources; it’s important to Argonne Legal that we provide our lawyers with a broader perspective while still maintaining uninterrupted client support.”
What will Rachel be doing in Washington? “I hope to be getting firsthand knowledge of the big issues that ultimately may have a bearing on the lab. DOE issues directives on many matters; I hope to come away with a better understanding of that process — clarifying DOE roles and responsibilities and who at Argonne is responsible for responding to DOE.”
“I can’t influence things in Argonne’s interest, but when I return I hope to be able to help the lab respond in a way that’s productive.”
By Kathryn Jandeska