Representing Contractors in NSA Security Clearance Appeals
By John V. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com Our security clearance lawyers represent government contractors before the National Security Agency (NSA) in security clearance matters. As those seeking cleared positions know, the NSA is an intelligence agency with its own unique security clearance process through Executive Order 12968 and Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4). SEAD […]
EEO Mediation for Federal Employees
By John V. Berry, www.berrylegal.com
This article discusses the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) mediation process for federal employees. Our law firm represents federal employees in discrimination, harassment, retaliation and sexual harassment cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or individual federal agency EEO offices. Many retaliation, discrimination or sexual harassment cases filed through the EEO process proceed to mediation, […]
Wrongful Termination Tips for Virginia Employees
By John V. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com
This article contains wrongful termination tips for Virginia employees. Our law firm represents individuals in Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. area when they are terminated from their employment illegally. This is often referred to as wrongful termination. Many issues come into play when an employee is terminated. These employment issues are compounded by anxiety, […]
Hiring a Severance Agreement Lawyer in Virginia
By Kimberly H. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com
In Virginia, most employees are considered “at-will” which usually means they can be terminated at any time and for any reason, unless illegal. Even if an employee is considered “at will” when an employee’s employment ends, an employer may offer severance to an employee in exchange for the employee’s waiver of his or her rights, […]
Security Clearance Lawyers Nationwide
Welcome to the law firm of Berry and Berry, PLLC in the Metropolitan, Washington D.C. area where we specialize in the nationwide legal representation of individuals in security clearance matters. We take our responsibilities to clients very seriously in attempting to help them keep or obtain security clearances. We often represent security clearance holders or […]
Virginia Approves Pro-Employee Overtime Law
By John V. Berry, www.berrylegal.com
Virginia did not have its own overtime laws until recent approval of the Virginia Overtime Wage Act (“VOWA”), in Virginia House Bill 2063, signed on March 30, 2021 by Governor Ralph Northam. Before VOWA, those that sought unpaid overtime compensation had to previously rely on federal law through the Fair Labor Standards Act, known as FLSA. While VOWA […]
Douglas Factors for Federal Employees
By John V. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com
Douglas factors for federal employee disciplinary cases are critical. There are typically two parts to a federal employee’s disciplinary case: (1) whether the federal employee committed the offense charged; and (2) if they committed the offense, what should the penalty be? One of the most significant issues in defending a federal employee in disciplinary cases […]
Virginia Passes Legislation to Allow Employees to Sue for Unpaid Wages and Triple Damages
By John V. Berry, www.berrylegal.com
New legislation has been passed in Virginia to protect employees from employers that do not pay wages that are owed. If Virginia House Bill 123 is either signed by Governor Ralph Northam or not acted upon by April 11, 2020, employees will have new rights to pursue unpaid wages. Virginia House Bill 123 has been passed by both the […]
Virginia to Allow Unions
By John V. Berry, www.berrylegal.com
Virginia finally has passed new legislation that allows for public sector unions that can bargain for employee rights, their conditions of employment and enter into collective bargaining agreements. On May 1, 2021, Virginia’s new law, Virginia Code § 40.1-57.2, will take effect. This law completely changes the union movement in Virginia for public sector employees. Prior to […]
Clean Record Agreements For Federal Employees After Executive Order 13839 are Possible
By John V. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com
Clean record agreements for federal employees in light of Presidential Executive Order 13839 (EO) still exist given the right circumstances. There is significant confusion over this EO which attempts to bar clean or clear records, which is confusing for both federal agencies and federal employees. Federal agencies themselves often disagree with what the EO actually means and […]
