Federal employees have rights that private-sector workers do not, and a separate system for enforcing them. The firms below represent federal employees in MSPB appeals, EEO complaints, OPM disability retirement claims, USERRA matters, and whistleblower cases.
This site is an information resource. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Inclusion here is not a recommendation: these firms were confirmed to exist and to practise federal employment law, and nothing on this page is an assessment of quality.
Firms Representing Federal Employees Nationwide
Firms are listed alphabetically. None has paid for inclusion.
Alan Lescht and Associates, P.C.
Washington, DC · Represents federal employees worldwide
EEO · MSPB · security clearance and suitability · OPM/FERS disability · whistleblower
(202) 463-6036
The firm states it has represented government and private-sector employees “for more than two decades.”
Berry & Berry, PLLC
Reston, VA · Nationwide
MSPB appeals · EEO · federal disability and retirement · security clearance
(703) 668-0070
The firm states it has “more than 25 years” representing federal employees, and “over 50 years of practice before the MSPB” between its lawyers.
The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
Dallas, TX · Washington, DC · Atlanta, GA · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · OPM disability retirement · adverse actions
888-351-0424
The firm describes itself as “serving those who serve in government.”
Federal Employee Legal Services Center
Washington, DC · Nationwide
MSPB appeals · EEO · OSC and whistleblower · disciplinary defence
202-204-2226
The firm states its founding attorney has “more than 30 years of legal experience.”
The Federal Practice Group
801 17th Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · whistleblower · federal disability
(202) 862-4360
Gilbert Employment Law, P.C.
Silver Spring, MD · Las Vegas, NV · Honolulu, HI · Nationwide
EEO · MSPB · OSC and whistleblower · OPM/FERS disability · security clearance
888-676-8096
Founded in 2005 by Gary M. Gilbert, described on the firm’s site as a former Chief Administrative Judge with the EEOC’s Baltimore Field Office. The firm’s site notes it now incorporates Passman & Kaplan, P.C.
Harris Federal Employee Law Firm
Lexington, KY · Washington, DC · Austin, TX · Nationwide
FERS and OPM disability retirement (this firm’s practice is focused on disability retirement)
(859) 226-2723
Law Office of Justin Schnitzer
Pikesville, MD · Toms River, NJ · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · OPM disability · FERS · whistleblower
(202) 964-4878
The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., PLLC
Washington, DC
MSPB · EEO · OSC · security clearance · federal disability retirement · union and labour
202-350-3881
The firm states its attorneys have represented “thousands of federal government employees… for over 30 years.”
Melville Johnson, P.C.
Atlanta, GA · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · OPM/FERS · OSC and whistleblower · security clearance
(404) 724-0000
The firm states its attorneys have “successfully litigated hundreds of cases before the Merit System Protection Board.”
Pines Federal (Law Office of Eric L. Pines, PLLC)
Houston, TX · Pikesville, MD · Atlanta, GA · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · OPM disability · USERRA · whistleblower · federal union representation
(832) 462-7655
The firm states “over 60 years of experience.”
Tully Rinckey PLLC
Washington, DC · Albany, Buffalo, Manhattan, Rochester, Syracuse, Saratoga Springs and White Plains, NY · Austin and Houston, TX · Ladera Ranch, CA · Nationwide
MSPB · EEO · OPM/FERS · USERRA · VEOA · OSC and whistleblower
(888) 529-4543
The firm states its team has “combined over 200 years of experience in Federal Employment Law.”
Directory
| Firm | Offices | Coverage | Scope | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Dooley & Noone, LLP | Belmont, MA | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO · disability retirement · clearance · whistleblower | 617-489-5300 |
| Bell Law Group, PLLC | Syosset, Albany and New York, NY · Marlboro, NJ | Nationwide and overseas | MSPB · EEO · disability retirement · clearance · OSC | 516-280-3008 |
| Bramnick Creed, LLC | Bethesda, MD | DC metro | MSPB · EEO · OSC | (301) 945-7800 |
| The Employment Law Group, P.C. | Washington, DC | Nationwide | Federal employees and contractors · whistleblower | 1-888-826-5260 |
| FEDLAW Federal Employment Law Firm | Houston, TX | Nationwide | EEOC · disability · MSPB · whistleblower · Title 38 | (866) 626-5325 |
| Kincaid Law Firm, PLLC | Seattle, WA | Nationwide | OPM/FERS disability retirement · OWCP | 206-486-7157 |
| Law Offices of Archibald J. Thomas, III, P.A. | Jacksonville Beach, FL | Not stated | MSPB · EEOC · OPM/FERS · DOHA clearance · USERRA/VEOA | 904-674-2222 |
| Law Offices of David P. Sheldon | Washington, DC | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO · OSC · clearance | 202-546-9575 |
| Law Offices of Stephen V. Barszcz | Pinellas Park, FL | Nationwide | OPM/FERS disability · SSDI · FECA | 877-655-2667 |
| The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC | Columbia, MD | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO · OSC · clearance · USERRA/VEOA | 410-514-6099 |
| Lincoln Federal Law Firm, P.L.L.C. | Frisco, TX | Nationwide | OPM/FERS disability · OWCP | 469-607-1008 |
| Mangan Law | Silverdale, WA | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO (firm’s primary practice is military justice) | (360) 908-2203 |
| National Security Law Firm | Washington, DC · Chatsworth, CA · Jersey City and New York, NY · Abita Springs, LA | Nationwide and overseas | MSPB · EEO · OSC · clearance and suitability | (202) 600-4996 |
| Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. | Newport News, VA | Partial | MSPB · EEO | 757-223-4500 |
| Schrameck Law, P.L.L.C. | Canton, MI | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO · whistleblower · clearance | (734) 259-6514 |
| Solomon Law Firm, PLLC | Washington, DC · New York and Albany, NY | Nationwide | MSPB · EEO · federal and private sector | 866.833.3529 |
| Southworth PC | Atlanta, GA · Washington, DC · Dallas, TX | Nationwide and worldwide | EEOC · MSPB · OSC | 888-899-7284 |
| Stember Cohn & Davidson-Welling, LLC | Pittsburgh, PA | Not stated | EEOC · MSPB · federal civil rights | (412) 338-1445 |
| The Vaughn Law Firm, LLC | Decatur, GA · Washington, DC | Not stated | Federal EEO · OPM/FERS · MSPB · OSC | 877-615-9495 |
| The Wick Law Office, LLC | Denver, CO | Nationwide | EEO · MSPB · OPM disability | 720-999-5390 |
How to Choose a Federal Employment Attorney
Federal employment law is a narrow speciality. Many employment lawyers who handle private-sector cases do not practise before the MSPB, the EEOC’s federal sector, or OPM, and the procedures are not the same.
Three things worth checking before you hire anyone:
Deadlines. Most MSPB appeals must be filed within 30 days of the effective date of the action. Other claims run on different clocks. Ask any attorney you speak to what deadline applies to your situation.
Forum. Your case may belong before the MSPB, the EEOC, the Office of Special Counsel, or OPM, and some cases run in more than one. A firm that handles one forum may not handle the others.
Fee recovery. Federal employees who prevail can sometimes recover attorney fees from the government. Whether that applies depends on the type of case.
Several firms listed above practise nationwide, so your location may matter less than it would for a state-law claim.
What Federal Employment Attorneys Handle
- MSPB appeals — removals, suspensions over 14 days, demotions, and furloughs.
- EEO complaints — discrimination and harassment claims in the federal workplace.
- Federal disability retirement — FERS and CSRS claims and OPM denials.
- USERRA — employment and reemployment rights for service members.
- Whistleblower retaliation — disclosures and reprisal under the WPA.
- Removal and termination
- Reductions in force
- Disciplinary and adverse actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file an MSPB appeal?
No. Federal employees may represent themselves. MSPB appeals involve strict deadlines, evidentiary rules and procedural requirements, and agencies are normally represented by counsel.
How much does a federal employment attorney cost?
Fee structures vary. Some firms charge hourly, some work to a flat fee for defined stages, and some offer an initial consultation at reduced or no cost. Federal employees who prevail can sometimes recover attorney fees from the government, depending on the type of case.
How long do I have to file?
Most MSPB appeals must be filed within 30 days of the effective date of the action or receipt of the agency’s decision, whichever is later. USERRA claims have no filing deadline. Whistleblower appeals generally run 65 days from an OSC notice. Deadlines differ by claim type.
Can I use a lawyer who is not in my state?
Usually yes. MSPB and EEOC federal-sector practice is federal, and several firms listed here practise nationwide.
Does this site recommend any of these firms?
No. This page lists firms that represent federal employees. It does not rank, rate or endorse them, and nothing here is an assessment of quality.
Are You a Federal Employment Firm?
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