Indianapolis – Governor Mike Braun announced Thursday that attorney Brittney Long will serve as Indiana’s next Public Access Counselor, beginning Monday, Oct. 5. The appointment underscores Braun’s commitment to transparency and accountability in state government.
Long’s legal background
Long has more than ten years of legal experience. Most recently, she was deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, where she helped guide the agency’s compliance with state statutes and environmental regulations. Prior to that, she served as a magistrate judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court from 2022 to 2026, presiding over civil matters and ensuring fair procedural outcomes.
From 2014 to 2022, Long practiced law at an Indianapolis firm, handling a range of civil and administrative cases. Her blend of courtroom experience and agency counsel equips her to advise both the public and government officials on Indiana’s public‑access laws.
Role of the Public Access Counselor
The Office of the Public Access Counselor provides guidance and assistance to citizens, public employees, and elected officials regarding Indiana’s public‑access statutes. The office helps ensure that government records are available to the public in a timely and lawful manner, reinforcing the state’s commitment to open government.
“Brittney’s legal background and dedication to public service will help bring greater transparency and accountability to Indiana’s government,” Governor Braun said in a statement. “Her experience as both a judge and a senior agency attorney makes her uniquely qualified to protect the public’s right to know.”
What the appointment means for Indiana residents
With Long at the helm, the Public Access Counselor’s office is expected to continue its work in educating agencies about record‑keeping requirements, responding to public‑access requests, and resolving disputes over information disclosure. Residents can look forward to clearer guidance on how to obtain government documents, from local school board minutes to state agency reports.
The appointment also signals the administration’s broader focus on reinforcing constitutional principles of openness and accountability—values that align with Indiana’s tradition of limited government and individual liberty.
Next steps
Long will assume her duties on Oct. 5, succeeding the previous counselor whose term concluded earlier this year. The office will maintain its existing outreach programs and is slated to host a series of workshops for municipal officials later this fall, aimed at strengthening compliance with public‑access statutes across the state.
Indiana residents with questions about public‑access requests can contact the Office of the Public Access Counselor through its website or by calling the agency’s hotline.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
