Gayle Girod '94
Advancing International Development at USAID
Feb. 1, 2020
Gayle Girod '94 grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich., and was familiar with The University of Toledo. Her visit to Toledo Law showed her a welcoming community, involved faculty, and an environment perfect for fostering and encouraging success. Gayle wanted to travel and had ambitions to work internationally. Obtaining experience as a federal judicial clerk as well as working at a number of large firms in Washington, D.C. before moving to World Vision, Inc., created a path to helping other countries.
Gayle is now the chief innovation counsel (CIC) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) — an organization that leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.
Gayle earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from The University of Toledo College of Law.
Photo: Rachel E.H. Photography
Q&A with Gayle Girod
Did you always have an interest in moving to/working in D.C.?
I was open to going almost anywhere after law school. I knew I wanted to clerk, but
I was not interested in criminal law, so a district court clerkship did not seem like
a good fit. I applied to a number of bankruptcy courts, as well as the Court of Federal
Claims, which hears monetary claims against the government. I was lucky enough to
get a clerkship at the Court of Federal Claims with the Honorable Kenneth Harkins.
What were the turning points in your education and career that led you to where you
are now?
I have a vivid memory of finding out my grades from first semester. Law school was
such a new experience, and a complete unknown until those grades came in. I did very
well, and just remember thinking, "yep, this is what I'm meant to do." It gave me
a lot of confidence for the next three years, that also carried into my career. My
clerkship gave me my introduction to government contracts, which I have parlayed into
an entire career!
What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer/having a law degree?
I love the intellectual challenge of being a lawyer. Even when applying a law that
I am familiar with that has been fully litigated, the facts vary enough that there
is a fun puzzle to solve. In my current practice, as a lawyer for USAID, I am almost
daily making legal determinations where there is no case law, and that makes it all
the more fun, to work through the law and facts to craft a reasonable, maybe novel,
legal opinion.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a lawyer/having a law degree?
At the law firms, it was billing hours! The most challenging aspect is really the
workload. In every job I've had, and I'm sure it's not unique to law, there do not
seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything I want, and need, to do. There
is always more research that can be done, or other projects that would be helpful
to clients, and there is never enough time.
What have been some of the interesting or fascinating experiences you have had as
a result of your work?
Since I've transitioned to international development, about 12 years ago, I have
been able to travel to dozens of countries — I have now been to 45 countries, and
I'm gunning for 60 countries by the time I'm 60. When I go to these countries for
work, I am generally working in the USAID Mission/U.S. Embassy, helping to implement
development programs.
What suggestions do you have for current law students and new lawyers who might be
interested in doing this work?
First, get good grades. If you want to work in development, or another international
field, do things that demonstrate your interest in the world — learn a language, consider
the Peace Corps, take a pro bono case that involves international law, work for an
international organization and try to get placed overseas, even if just for a while.
Devex.com has a lot of news about the development field and also lists job opportunities. Do
it — it's great fun.
What do you do to break away from work and relax?
I have renovated four houses in D.C., so I seem to be either planning a renovation,
in the thick of a renovation, or recovering from a renovation. Outside of that, I
am lucky that my only sibling, my sister, lives here, as well as my parents, who moved
here from Ann Arbor five years ago. And, I have a 15-year-old coonhound, who takes
more time than a dog should.
Do you have a favorite memory from attending Toledo Law?
More than one specific moment, I loved the relationship between the students and
professors. I have so many memories of sitting in the forum, with one professor or
another chatting with us along the rails upstairs. Having that kind of access to the
professors meant being able to approach professors to better understand the course
content. And of course, so many of the professors participated with us in extra-curricular
activities, such as the Monte Carlo night we had when I was there. Many were friends,
as well as professors.
How did Toledo Law prepare you for your legal career?
At the basic level, I learned how to analyze case law, and I became a better writer.
Learning the fundamentals to pass the bar was also helpful! I also gained a lot of
confidence in myself and my worth. Being able to express your legal opinion with confidence
goes a long way to success in this field. Better to be confidently wrong at times
(with the confidence to admit you're wrong!) than to always be timidly right!
What was the best advice someone gave you?
Have fun!