Federal Employment Law

Firm Founder John Berry discussing federal employee issues on CNN

Federal Employee Lawyers Defending Federal Employees Nationwide for Over 25 Years

We have always represented federal employees in their matters nationwide and around the world. It is fairly common for us to represent federal employees in Europe, Asia and in other areas of the world. The world is also shrinking with many cases being heard virtually by Microsoft Teams and Zoom services. When going through federal employment issues it is important to have a knowledgeable federal employee lawyer. There are many law firms that handle federal employment law, but few with as much combined experience as us.

Our Federal Employee Practice

John Berry, Esq. the firm’s founding partner, has represented thousands of federal employees since 1999 before practically every forum. He began his practice representing federal sector police unions in 1999, ultimately opening up his own practice in 2001, dedicated to representing federal employees. Mr. Berry’s practice areas have focused on federal employee discipline, discrimination and security clearance defense. Kimberly Berry, Esq., the firm’s managing partner focuses on federal employee disability and retirement issues before OPM. Our senior associate and associate attorneys are well-versed in these federal employee cases with many years of practice. Our goal has been to combine our federal employee experience of many years and thousands of cases to provide the best solutions for federal employees that need assistance.

Federal Employee Investigations

We defend federal employees in all types of investigations. Whether a federal employees is being investigated by human resources, the inspector general, the Office of Special Counsel or in an EEO investigations we can help. We provide strong legal defense for employees being questioned about their conduct. It is important to have legal counsel when you are under investigation and we have the experience to help you.

Federal Employee Disciplinary Actions

Our federal employee lawyers represent federal employees in disciplinary actions, adverse actions, performance actions and all other forms of employment discipline. Whether you are being subjected to an investigations or proposed for discipline we are ready to defend you. It is important when facing potential employment discipline to get legal advice early. Having a federal employment attorney early in the process can increase your chances of success.

MSPB Appeals

We represent federal employees in Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals. MSPB appeals are very similar to being in court. They typically involve federal employee disciplinary or performance action appeals. MSPB appeals also involve retirement appeals, Reduction-in-Force, military discrimination (USERRA) and other kinds of cases. A judge will be appointed and a lawyer and the process will be similar to being in court. This is not the type of case where you can represent yourself. We may take depositions of supervisors or seek subpoenas. Our goal is to strongly defend federal employees in MSPB appeals. Where appropriate, we seek to resolve these cases early, through settlement.

EEO Complaints

We represent federal employees in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints against their federal agencies. EEO complaints involve discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation suffered by federal employees. We represent federal employees in filing informal EEO complaints. The goal in many cases is to settle an EEO case early. If not resolved, we represent federal employees during the EEO investigation. Our federal employee attorneys will then represent them in EEO hearing process. The hearing process will be heard by an administrative judge. In such cases, we take depositions of agency witnesses, seek discovery of agency emails / documents and file arguments on behalf of the client. If the EEO complaint goes to a hearing, it looks much like a courtroom trial. There will be opening statements, witness examinations, cross-examination and the introduction of evidence. Our attorneys frequently represent federal employees in EEO hearings.

Security Clearance Appeals

We defend federal employees security clearances. Our federal employee attorneys represent federal employees at all stages of the security clearance process. For example, we advise them on potential issues prior to completing a security clearance questionnaire (SF-86). Sometimes we represent federal employees in the polygraph and investigation process. Our federal employee lawyers also defend federal employees if their security clearance is denied or revoked. Our goal is to help federal employees obtain their security clearance.

OPM Disability and Retirement

Our federal employee lawyers also represent federal employees in all aspects of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Disability and Retirement cases. We help federal employees in OPM disability retirement applications and reconsideration appeals. Additionally, we also advise family lawyers on court-ordered benefits issues when federal employees divorce. There are numerous other types of federal employee retirement and benefits related matters where we represent federal employees. In a number of cases, we represent federal employees before the MSPB in their retirement matters.

OSC Whistleblower Complaints

We defend federal employee whistleblowers. Sometimes federal employees encounter waste, fraud and abuse and feel strongly about reporting wrongdoing. In such cases, they may be subject to retaliation at work. We defend these federal employees in whistleblower retaliation cases before the inspector general, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the MSPB and other forums. It is important for federal employees to have a strong defense if they are illegally targeted for simply doing the right thing.

Federal Employee Attorneys Can Help

When issues arise for federal employees, our federal employee attorneys handle them. We are experienced in all types of federal employment cases. When issues develop for federal employees it is always best to get legal advice early to prepare for any needed legal defense. Early defense often increases the odds of success later on.

Contact Us

Our goal is to protect your federal employee rights in our practice. Other firms often focus on serving as many people as possible in federal employee cases, often using non-attorneys to facilitate the process. When federal employees consult with us, they meet with an experienced federal employee attorney who is able to go over their individual cases and suggest solutions. We have always tried to practice empathy in representing with clients. We treat clients how we would like to be treated ourselves. Federal employees often devote themselves to their careers to help the public. We like to work and assist these hardworking federal employees who have found themselves in a difficult situation and need legal help. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our federal employment lawyers, please contact us at (703) 668-0070 or by visiting our website’s contact us page.