Carolyn L. Hann, ’99, Discusses Her Career in the Federal Trade Commission
Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a Q&A series focusing on UChicago Law alumni whose career paths have taken them into public service.
Carolyn Hann, ’99, is the Chief of Staff for the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP). Prior to her current role, she served as Chief of Staff in BCP’s Division of Advertising Practices for four years. Hann previously served as counsel to the House Energy & Commerce Committee (FTC detail), as an attorney advisor to Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch, and as a staff attorney in the Division of Enforcement and the Division of Advertising Practices.
Prior to joining the FTC, Carolyn worked in private practice, specializing in advertising, marketing, and food and drug law.
What inspired you to get into public service and how has "your why" evolved over time?
As a high school student, I took a sociology class that included a segment on consumer advocacy. That experience sparked my interest. I went to law school to become a consumer protection lawyer. About seven years after graduating, I was lucky enough to join the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
As a staff attorney, I worked on many cases challenging deceptive advertising claims about a variety of products and services, including genetically customized health products that allegedly prevented diseases and copper-infused clothing purported to treat arthritis. About six years ago, I transitioned to management and operations, where my role is broader and more strategic. My “why” has evolved into supporting our teams—streamlining workflows, leveraging limited resources, and mitigating pain points—so that our agency can fulfill its consumer protection mission.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
In my current role, I triage emergencies while also managing budget, operations, Congressional requests, and personnel issues for the Bureau. I enjoy creatively problem-solving, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, and neutralizing potential problems before they morph into full-blown crises. In a nutshell, I find it fulfilling to alleviate pain points so that we can get our work done as efficiently as possible.
Can you share an experience that has had a major impact on the way you approach your work?
Over the years, I have given presentations to communities about avoiding scams. I typically provide an overview of the FTC’s legal authority, recent consumer protection cases, and consumer and business education materials. I enjoy watching audience members’ eyes light up, fielding their questions, and deepening the connection between our work and the communities we serve. These moments keep me grounded in my “why” —the reason I pursued this career path in the first place
How did your Law School experience prepare you for what you’re doing now?
The Law School laid important foundations for my career. First, UChicago Law’s world-class faculty challenged me to think critically, evaluate legal issues holistically, and be prepared to defend my positions. Second, the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic provided invaluable practical experience; I still remember working as a student-lawyer on a clemency petition and feeling gratified by the real-life consequences of our work. Finally, I learned a great deal from the Law School’s student body. I remember the brilliance of my classmates, many of whom had strong opinions that were grounded in thoughtful, in-depth analysis. My classmates and I represented a wide spectrum of views, and the Law School taught me to accept differences of opinion and maintain good relations. Navigating different views and coalition building are essential skills that I utilize almost every day.
What has been one of the more surprising insights you've gained from your work?
As an FTC attorney, I went on detail to Congress as a Committee staffer. Stepping outside of my agency helped me gain important perspective on how we were perceived by elected officials, Committee staff, lobbyists, and sister agencies. I developed insights into my agency’s strengths and areas for improvement, and it made me realize how easy it was to become insular. I also learned the importance of feedback. That detail was an important lesson in developing self-awareness, both as an individual and as part of an organization.
What do you see as the biggest misconception about public service work within the legal field?
One misconception is that public servants lack motivation, that they just want an easy nine-to-five job. That has not been my experience. From one administration to another, I have been in awe of the drive, passion, and dedication of my colleagues and their determination to see projects through. We work long hours to achieve our goals, often on short notice and with limited resources.
What advice can you share with a student or fellow alum interested in doing public service work?
If you are a student, try to spend either your 1L or 2L summer working at a government agency or nonprofit. You can gain invaluable insights, meet lifelong mentors (as I did), and develop a network in case you are interested in returning to that organization later in your career.
If you are an alum seeking to lateral to a public service job, I suggest you try to align your current practice with skills or practice areas that fall within the scope of that agency or nonprofit’s work. For example, if you’re interested in working at a law enforcement agency, focus on litigation and/or regulatory counseling that mirrors the laws enforced by that agency. Also, see if anyone in your college, law school, and/or friend network has worked at the agency or organization of interest. You can gain useful insights about intangible, but important, aspects of work culture that aren’t apparent from online research alone. In the end, it’s not just the work, but also the people and ethos that will determine whether a job is a good match.