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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

We reserve the right to change this disclaimer at any time.

The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only. It is general in nature. It is also provided “as is”. There is no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or correctness. It is provided without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.

This website does not constitute an offer of representation. It also does not create an attorney-client relationship with Leitner Varughese Warywoda Law or MSPBAttorneys Media LLC. Viewing this website and communicating with LVW Law or MSPBAttorneys Media LLC by electronic mail does not create an attorney-client relationship. Contacting LVW Law or MSPBAttorneys Media LLC through the internet is not considered secure. As a result, you should not send confidential or sensitive information that may be illegally intercepted by others.

The information contained in this site is not meant to substitute for specific legal advice given by a licensed attorney in your state based on your individual situation. Therefore, do not act on or rely on any information in this website without seeking the advice of an attorney. In no event will LVW Law be liable for any decision you may make or action you may take in reliance on any information this website contains.

Links Offsite

Various pages on this website contain links to other companies, services and resources on the World Wide Web. These include the Merit Systems Protection Board (also called the MSPB). These links are provided as aids and as a public information service only. LVW Law and MSPBAttorneys Media LLC make no representations regarding the quality of services offered by any of these companies or individuals. LVW Law and MSPBAttorneys Media LLC also make no representations regarding the accuracy or any other aspect of information in other websites.

MSPB Lawyers and MSPB Attorneys- Disclaimer | MSPBAttorneys.com | Leitner Varughese Warywoda
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Vigorously Defending Federal Employees Nationwide.
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Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Attorneys

If you are a federal employee dealing with a workplace grievance, you’ve come to the right place. The MSPB attorneys at Leitner Varughese Warywoda Law have been vigorously defending federal employees at the agency level, before Merit Systems Protection Board Administrative Law Judges, and the full three-member MSPB panel. We are here to fight for you!

As a federal employee you are entitled to numerous rights and protections under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The Merit Systems Protection Board oversees these rights both substantively and procedurally, which include the ability to appeal a variety of adverse personnel actions to the MSPB such as wrongful terminations, suspensions, discipline and demotion, sexual harassment, reductions in force, rejection of disability benefits, retaliation for filing a whistleblower claim, discriminatory and unfair treatment, and more.

Experience Counts!

Having defended thousands of federal employees against all federal agencies from coast-to-coast, the highly-rated MSPB attorneys at LVW Law have the experience and expertise to protect your rights in all aspects of Merit Systems Protection Board and Federal Employment Law. We are here to provide you with the rigorous representation you’ll need.

Wrongful discipline or termination from a federal employment position will no doubt mark a time of tension and strain in your life. Having skilled, experienced MSPB attorneys by your side who know the MSPB process and can guide you though it will ease much of the burden.

Below we provide general information, plus questions and answers, about Merit Systems Protection Board Law and your rights as a federal employee, including USPS employees and and Department of Veterans Affairs Employees, as well as recent case law. Because this is general information, we highly recommend contacting one of our MSPB attorneys to get information specific to your case.

What Is the Merit Systems Protection Board and How Can It Help Me?

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent, quasi-judicial agency in the Executive Branch which serves as the guardian of federal merit system principles. More specifically, federal employees have distinctive rights and protections under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which include the right to appeal a variety of adverse personnel actions to the MSPB court. The Board consists of three members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and is responsible for:

  • Adverse actions such as removals and termination, suspensions of 15 days or more, furloughs of 30 days or less, demotions, and certain reductions in pay.
  • Administrative decisions affecting an individual’s rights or benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and administrative decisions under the Federal Employees’ Retirement (FERS) System appealed from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
  • Appeals filed under the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and the Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA).
  • Cases brought by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). These include complaints of Prohibited Personnel Practices (PPP), Whistleblower Actions, Corrective Actions, and Hatch Act violations.
  • Requests to review regulations of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) alleged to require or result in the commission of a prohibited personnel practice.
  • Ordering compliance with final MSPB orders and settlement agreements where appropriate.

Who Can File an Appeal Before the MSPB?

Not all federal employees are eligible to file appeals before the MSPB, and not all who can appeal to the MSPB are federal employees. In some instances, applicants for certain non-political appointments who do not get a job because of a federally-protected or state-protected characteristic may be able to appeal that failure to hire. Political appointees are often excluded.

Employees who may appeal adverse actions to the MSPB include:

  • Employees in the competitive service who have completed a 1-year probationary or trial period and those who have completed one year of current continuous service under other than a temporary appointment limited to 1 year or less;
  • Veterans with at least one year of employment in the same position as (or a similar position to) the one from which they were fired;
  • Supervisors, managers, and personnel-based employees of the U.S. Postal Service with at least one year of current continuous service; and
  • Certain service employees with at least two years of current continuous service in the position from which they were fired.

    • We’ll get in touch so you can speak with one of our MSPB attorneys about the specifics of your case and whether you qualify to file an MSPB appeal.

    How Do You File an MSPB Appeal?

    All motions for appeal before the MSPB must be in writing and signed by the applicant. When sending appeal applications, you can mail, fax, hand-deliver, e-file, send them via overnight delivery to the Board’s regional or field office servicing the area where you live (for final retirement or suitability decisions). Additionally, you can file at the office servicing the area where the adverse employment action occurred.

    To successfully appeal an adverse employment action, you’ll want to get moving quickly. You need to file your appeal within 30 calendar days of the effective date of your termination or demotion. This deadline extends to the nearest workday if the 30-day deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. If you submit your appeal via the e-filing service, the “sent” date is the submission date. However, for appeals mailed or sent via overnight delivery, the postmark date serves as the submission date.

    In addition to this general 30-day deadline, some types of MSPB appeals have different deadlines. This is one of many reasons we believe it’s important to have knowledgeable MSPB attorneys to work with you on your case. Even if you’re confident in your ability to review deadlines and other relevant information on the MSPB website, you may find there are additional wrinkles applicable to your specific case. LVW Law’s MSPB attorneys can help.

    What Happens During an MSPB Hearing?

    Not all MSPB appeals hold in-person hearings, however all applicants have the right to request a hearing on the merits. This hearing is similar to a traditional civil court hearing. Applicants present evidence and solicit witness testimony to demonstrate that an employer’s actions were illegal or violated federal regulations. If circumstances require and all parties agree, you may be able to have your hearing by telephone or video conference instead of an in-person proceeding.

    If you waive your right to appeal, the case will proceed on the written record. This means the MSPB may only consider the evidence in the pleadings; extraneous information, even if otherwise relevant, will not be subject to consideration.

    What Will You Need to Prove In Order to Prevail During an MSPB Appeal?

    Before your appeal can start, you must prove the MSPB has jurisdiction over your claim. You must also prove you submitted your filing within the 30-day deadline. Additionally, applicants must prove any affirmative defenses you may raise in response to your former employer’s arguments.

    Conversely, your employer must prove there was justification for the adverse employment action. The employer must also prove that no harmful error, prohibited practice, or unlawful action took place in the procedures they used to take the disciplinary action.

    What Remedies are Available From an MSPB Appeal?

    There are a wide variety of remedies available to federal employees after a successful appeal before the MSPB. Potential remedies may include reinstatement of prior employment (or a promotion), back pay dating back to your original termination date. They also include reimbursement of any medical expenses or lost benefits such as retirement matches, damages for emotional distress, and more. These remedies can go a long way toward making a terminated employee whole again.

    LVW Law: MSPB Attorneys Representing Federal Employees Nationwide

    MSPBAttorneys.com | Johnson | MSPB AttorneysAt LVW Law, it is our mission to ensure every federal employee has the right to due process. We understand that any disciplinary action you receive now can influence your employment for years to come, and we take every case we handle seriously and with the utmost care.

    As soon as you learn that your employer is instituting disciplinary procedures against you, or initiating an investigation, we recommend consulting with one of our attorneys. It will be crucial to have an experienced lawyer fighting alongside you and preserving your rights throughout the process, ensuring you get a fair hearing and your story is heard at the MSPB.

    Federal Employment Law

    The MSPB and Federal Employment Law Attorneys at LVW Law handle cases against all federal agencies throughout the United States.

    If you are a federal employee dealing with an impending disciplinary action, wrongful termination, suspension or demotion, reduction in force, rejection of or application for disability benefits, retaliation for filing a whistleblower claim, discriminatory or unfair treatment, or any other federal workplace grievance, this site explains the process and your rights.

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    Types of MSPB Cases We Handle

    The MSPB Attorneys at LVW Law offer caring, sensitive, professional legal representation and have years of combined experience filing Petitions for Review to the MSPB Board and bringing cases in front of Administrative Law Judges. Below is a brief summary of the types of cases we handle:

    Federal Discipline
    Federal Discipline
    As a government employee, you may be subject to federal disciplinary action if there are allegations of misconduct or lack of performance against you. The disciplinary process will begin with a federal investigation, and then continue with proceedings in federal court.

    When the court issues a decision, you may have the right as a federal employee to appeal the decision and disciplinary action in MSPB (Merit Systems Protection Board) court.

    At LVW Law, our federal discipline lawyers have years of combined experience with the MSPB and can support you throughout the process
    More about Federal Discipline
    Federal Reduction
    Federal Reduction
    A Federal Reduction In Force, referred to as an RIF, is defined as the complete elimination of a position or multiple positions at a federal agency. This can result from a lack of work, or from an agency's inability to pay employees in a specific position or who perform a certain task.

    A federal agency can also use Reduction In Force procedures when an employee is forced to downsize due to reorganization, transfer of function, or shortage of funds.

    At LVW Law, our attorneys are highly skilled in evaluating the evidence in an RIF case and determining how to defend you in front of an Administrative Judge.
    More about Federal Reduction
    Federal Removal
    Federal Removal
    A decision to remove an employee from a position at a government agency is a serious matter, but it is important to note that the decision is not necessarily final or irreversible.

    There are numerous rules and regulations regarding federal removal which must be adhered to, depending on the federal agency and the employee's position.

    We represent employees in all 50 states and government agencies, and are glad to offer legal consultations to government employees dealing with removal from their position.
    More about Federal Removal
    Federal Suspension
    Federal Suspension
    Federal suspension is a severe federal disciplinary action. By law, a government agency must follow strict regulatory procedures prior to a suspension, such as giving an employee written notice of 30 days before any action is imposed.

    A failure to adhere to these rules could result in the suspension being overturned by the MSPB court. If you are dealing with a federal suspension, our attorneys can help.
    More about Federal Suspension
    MSPB Appeals
    MSPB Appeals
    All federal employees have the right to appeal a decision to terminate their employment, and there are many grounds for which a federal employee may wish to file an MSPB appeal.

    This could be due to a Federal Reduction In Force (RIF),federal discipline, removal, suspension, discrimination, or a number of other reasons. At LVW Law, our attorneys assist clients with their Merit Systems Protection Board appeals from beginning to end.
    More about MSPB Appeals
    USERRA Lawyers
    USERRA Lawyers
    The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects the employment rights of military service members, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers. It includes protections against discrimination and a pathway for reintegration after service.

    For federal employees, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) offers a venue for resolving USERRA disputes. LVW Law is dedicated to enforcing these rights, providing strong legal support and representation in USERRA and MSPB cases to safeguard the entitlements of our clients.
    More about USERRA Lawyers