Federal Employment Lawyer in Washington, DC
Federal employees in Washington, DC work under a body of law that has little in common with private-sector employment.
It's Easy to Get Started.
Exceptional Credentials
Subject-Matter Depth
Unwavering Commitment
Millions Recovered
Award Winning Federal Employment Attorney In Washington, DC
Disciplinary action, EEO complaints, security clearance decisions, and whistleblower retaliation move through federal agencies and administrative tribunals on strict deadlines. A federal employment attorney in Washington, DC can help protect your career before a decision becomes final.
Cantrell Schuette represents federal employees and federal government employees across the Washington, DC area and nationwide. Our federal employment law practice covers the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Special Counsel, and the federal courts. This page is part of our broader federal employment representation.
Federal Employment Law Representation in Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is the center of the federal workforce, and most federal agencies are headquartered here.
Who We Represent
We represent federal employees of cabinet departments, independent agencies, and the broader federal government on decisions that affect federal employees across the full range of federal employment law matters:
- Proposed removals, demotions, suspensions, and other disciplinary action
- EEO complaints and workplace discrimination
- Whistleblower retaliation and prohibited personnel practices
- Security clearance denials, suspensions, and revocations
- Federal labor law, union, and collective bargaining disputes
Federal employees in DC whose claims reach court generally litigate in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. As a federal employment law firm, we provide legal representation and legal assistance at each administrative stage. An employment law attorney from the firm can assist with the appropriate forum and applicable deadlines.
Who We Represent: Federal Employees in the DC Area
We represent federal employees across agencies and pay systems, including civil servants, supervisors, and military veterans in civilian roles. Our clients include:
- Career civil servants facing disciplinary action
- Probationary employees and applicants alleging discrimination based on a protected factor
- Whistleblowers reporting fraud, waste, or abuse
- Employees seeking reasonable accommodations for a disability
- Union members involved in grievances and unfair labor practices
Whatever agency you serve, a federal employment attorney in Washington, DC, can explain the options that affect federal employees in your situation.
MSPB Appeals and Disciplinary Action for Federal Employees
The Merit Systems Protection Board reviews major adverse actions against federal employees, including removals, suspensions over 14 days, demotions, and reductions in grade or pay. Federal employees are not at-will, and MSPB appeals carry strict deadlines.
An MSPB appeal is heard by an administrative judge, with the possibility of further review by the full Board and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We assist with proposed discipline, investigatory interviews, and MSPB appeals from the first notice through a final decision. These cases involve strict statutory deadlines and specialized oversight, so prompt legal representation is important.
Federal EEO Complaints and Workplace Discrimination
Federal employees who experience workplace discrimination based on protected factors such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, or disability may file an EEO complaint through the federal-sector EEO process enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Federal employees must contact an agency EEO counselor within 45 days of the discriminatory incident. Claims can involve harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation, and remedies may include reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages. An unresolved complaint can proceed to a hearing before an EEOC administrative judge. We guide clients through these timelines and represent federal employees at administrative hearings.
Federal Whistleblower Retaliation and the Office of Special Counsel
Federal laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting illegal activity, fraud, waste, and abuse. Retaliation can take the form of demotions, denied promotions, unfavorable reassignments, or wrongful termination.
The Office of Special Counsel handles reprisal claims and prohibited personnel practices, and an employee may also pursue an Individual Right of Action before the MSPB under the Whistleblower Protection Act.
Federal Labor Law, Unions, and Collective Bargaining
Many federal employees are represented by unions, and federal labor law gives them the right to collective bargaining and to file grievances. Disputes over collective bargaining agreements and unfair labor practices are handled by the Federal Labor Relations Authority, which oversees federal employers and their unions, rather than by the systems that cover private employers.
We assist with grievances, arbitration, and unfair labor practice charges, and we advise on how union procedures interact with other federal employment remedies. Legal representation can help negotiate collective bargaining agreements and represent employees in grievance procedures.
Security Clearance and Other Federal Employment Matters
A security clearance is essential for many federal agencies and defense roles, and a denial, downgrade, or revocation can affect a federal job and career. Legal representation can help an employee respond to a statement of reasons and present a case at a clearance hearing.
We also advise federal employees on disability retirement under FERS through OPM, reasonable accommodations, and reductions in force. Early legal assistance often shapes the outcome of issues federal employees encounter. A clearance decision can also affect related disciplinary action.
What Our Clients Say
Washington, DC Federal Employment Law Firm
Federal-sector employment law operates under entirely different rules, courts, and deadlines than state and private-sector labor law, so an attorney’s experience with federal agencies and administrative tribunals matters. Federal personnel laws focus on administrative litigation processes that differ from standard labor law.
Cantrell Schuette is a law firm representing federal government employees in Washington, DC and nationwide. Our attorneys build a clear attorney-client relationship and work to resolve disputes and pursue favorable outcomes. When you work with the firm’s attorneys, you receive:
- Direct access to the attorneys handling your matter
- Clear communication on strategy, the legal process, and billing
- Representation across MSPB, EEOC, OSC, FLRA, and federal court
- Realistic case evaluation and clear guidance on your legal protections at each stage
Speak With an Experienced Attorney Today
Federal employment matters move quickly and carry strict deadlines, and early legal review helps protect your rights.
Contact Cantrell Schuette today at (877) 858‑6868 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation with a federal employment attorney in Washington, DC who understands the federal-sector process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us 24/7.
What Is the MSPB?
The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent federal agency that reviews adverse actions against federal employees, including removals, long suspensions, and demotions. A federal employment lawyer can advise whether an action is appealable and on the deadlines that apply.
How long do federal employees have to file an EEO complaint?
Federal employees generally must contact an agency EEO counselor within 45 days of the alleged discrimination. This deadline is strict and much shorter than the deadlines that apply to private-sector workers.
Can a federal employee be in a union?
Yes. Many federal employees have the right to union representation and collective bargaining. Disputes over unfair labor practices and collective bargaining agreements are generally handled through the Federal Labor Relations Authority.