Pennsylvania’s Open Records Czar Is Leaving Office

Terry Mutchler ushered in a new era of (relative) government transparency in 2008 when she was appointed the first executive director of the then-brand-new Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records. The office was created to enforce the state’s Right-to-Know law.

Almost seven years later, the Legal Intelligencer reports Mutchler is leaving the public sector for a gig at the law firm Pepper Hamilton.

Mutchler, who has a long background in public access to government, will lead a new transparency practice designed to promote open government from a media, government and corporate perspective, the firm said.

“Terry brings a unique and highly desired skill set to Pepper’s robust practice representing journalists and others committed to open government,” said senior partner Amy Ginensky, chair of Pepper Hamilton’s media and communications practice.

“Terry’s experience creating the Office of Open Records and enforcing the state’s Right-to-Know Law will allow us to further promote access to government information. Information contained in government documents is critical to journalists, as well as to many of our clients.”

Erik Arneson, currently the policy and communications director for Republican Sen. Dominic Pileggi, has been tapped to head the office. Pileggi helped craft the state’s Right-t0-Know law.