Federal Employment Law

Berry & Berry, PLLC is very proud of its public safety employment practice area. We specialize in the representation of federal law enforcement officers, supervisors, and agents in investigations and disciplinary matters. Our firm has represented numerous federal law enforcement employees and unions before arbitrators, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Congressional Office of Compliance (OOC), the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), as well as state and federal courts. Our firm previously served as general counsel for several federal law enforcement labor unions. The firm represents federal law enforcement officers nationwide in all types of proceedings, such as assisting them in their legal defense of misconduct and performance charges before their agency, grievances and arbitration matters, appeals before the MSPB, and complaints before the OSC and the EEOC.

Different Rules for Different Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

We recognize that each federal law enforcement agency differs to some extent, and often times some departmental procedures vary, requiring special attention to specific general orders in preparation for the legal defense of federal law enforcement officers. Our firm has experience representing law enforcement officers and supervisors employed by the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S. Capitol Police, and many other sensitive law enforcement agencies. Cases involving these types of agencies require special attention due to the differences in laws and regulations applicable to federal law enforcement officers and supervisors of these agencies. The firm is familiar with the laws and regulations for these types of agencies.

Representation before Internal Affairs or Office of Professional Responsibility

Our federal employment lawyers represent federal law enforcement employees during investigations into complaints of misconduct. These investigations can be conducted by an agency’s office of internal affairs or office of professional responsibility. Other investigations can be conducted by the agency’s Office of Inspector General or a law enforcement supervisor. Depending on the severity of the allegations under investigation it is wise to retain counsel for legal defense in these matters.

Disciplinary Representation

We defend federal law enforcement employees in employment discipline cases. For most federal law enforcement employees, so long as they are not probationary, they have full due process rights. This includes the right to present a written and oral response to proposed disciplinary actions. We defend federal law enforcement officers in these types of cases. We also defend federal law enforcement employees in appeals before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, the Office of Inspector General and other forums.

Other Types of Advice and Legal Representation

In addition to defending law enforcement officers in traditional employment matters, such as those involving suspensions, removal or other discipline, the firm also handles many specific types of representation for law enforcement officers that include the following:

• Internal Affairs Representation
• Garrity Rights Defense
• Statement Review (statements requested of clients during formal investigations)
• Giglio (Truthfulness) Issues
• Disciplinary Appeals
• Performance Review Appeals
• Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) Defense
• Polygraph Issues
• Security Clearance Defense/Appeals
• Disciplinary Review Board Defense
• Background Investigation Representation and Advice
• Meetings with Police Supervisors

Contact Us

Our federal law employment lawyers defend federal law enforcement officers in employment and investigative matters throughout the United States. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss your employment matter.