Merit Systems Protection Board MSPB
Washington DC Federal Employment Law Attorney
To win your EEOC discrimination case, you need to find a federal employment law attorney to handle your case, before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) anywhere in the USA. You will need legal representation as a federal employee in your case before the MSPB, so if you want to at least have a chance of winning, it is strongly advised that you consult with a Washington DC federal employment lawyer as quick as possible. The government loves to throw out cases because you didn’t file on time. They save hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
Some of the federal employment law firms you may choose, are experts going before the MSPB, and will have significant experience asserting your rights as a federal employees. This is the edge you need to win your case, and why you need an expert representing you. They can even tell you what you can expect to be awarded based on cases similar to yours. They also use this valuable experience in deciding if they will take your discrimination case. Don’t be discouraged if one attorney refuses to accept your MSPB case, as there are many more lawyers to choose from.
Each claim has a value, every dollar you spend if you win must be reimbursed (if reported properly and on time and is related to the discrimination.) I’ve seen some federal employees get screwed out of their reimbursements and awards for not being better informed. The MSPB also awards attorney fee’s, so it lessens what you owe to the federal employment law attorney. Lawyers will always find billable items in your case, but they can’t get what you don’t have. Make sure you request a clear bill monthly, or quarterly, but don’t wait to long as the bill might be to much for you to handle. Lawyers also assess if your case is worth taking to trial based on how much money you have to fight, or that you may be entitled to winning.
Some people feel the MSPB is biased toward the federal agency, because they are a federal agency as well, but this is not always the case. In any case, you are always entitled to a right to sue in a federal district court if you are still unsatisfied with the MSPB decision. Don’t give up this right by thinking there is nothing left to do if the MSPB decides against you.
The Merit Systems Protection Board is a federal agency which is responsible for safeguarding the Merit System Principles which are nine basic standards which govern the management of the federal workforce. These nine principles are part of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The MSPB has the power to hear and make decisions in the cases of employees who submit appeals to the Board concerning disciplinary actions or other employment law matters.
Examples of such cases are:
- Cases concerning federal employee demotions, suspensions, furloughs, and
removals - Cases concerning an individual’s rights or benefits under the CSRS or FERS
- Cases concerning complaints under the
Whistleblower Protection Act - Cases involving complaints under the
USERRA - Cases involving complaints under the and the Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act
- Cases based on complaints of
Prohibited Personnel Practices
Are you eligible for MSPB?
You can appeal to the MSPB if you are a competitive service employee who has completed your 1-year probationary period, or if you have completed 2 years of continuous service in the same or a similar position in the federal government, or if you are a veteran’s preference eligible employee.
If your’e not eligible to have your claim heard before the MSPB, you still have other opportunities to file your federal employee discrimination claim with the EEOC, and your right to sue the federal agency in the federal district court once you’ve exhausted all administrative remedies.
What are my rights?
As a federal employee, you have many rights that cannot be taken away from you by your federal agency employer. Due process, is one of those rights which means you cannot be demoted, denied a within grade increase, suspended or fired without just cause. If you feel your employer has wrongly fired or suspended you, you may be able to appeal your case to the MSPB.
Contacts and Locations of MSPB
MSPB HQ
MSPB Headquarters, Washington, DC
1615 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20419
map / directions (202) 653-7200 – telephone
(202) 653-7130 – fax
(202) 254-4800 – message line
(800) 877-8339 – V/TDD
mspb@mspb.gov – email
MSPB Inspector General Hotline: (800) 424-9121
(administered by the Department of Agriculture)
Petition for Review
Status Inquiries
Email your name & docket number
(202) 254-4800 – telephone
MSPB ATLANTA REGION
Atlanta Regional Office
401 W. Peachtree Street, NW
10th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30308-3519
map / directions (404) 730-2751 – telephone
(404) 730-2767 – fax
atlanta@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Thomas J. Lanphear
Appellate Jurisdiction Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee
Videoconferencing Yvonnie Ellis
MSPB CENTRAL REGION
Central Regional Office
230 South Dearborn Street
31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-1669
map / directions (312)353-2923 – telephone
(312) 886-4231 – fax
chicago@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Michele Schroeder
Appellate Jurisdiction Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas City (KS), Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin
Videoconferencing Yvonne Robery
MSPB Washington DC Regional Office
Washington DC Regional Office
1901 S. Bell Street
Suite 950
Arlington, Virginia 22202
map / directions (703) 756-6250 – telephone
(703) 756-7112 – fax
washingtonregionaloffice@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Jeremiah Cassidy
Appellate Jurisdiction Washington, DC, Maryland (counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s), North Carolina, Virginia, and all overseas areas not otherwise covered
Videoconferencing Marie Sumner
MSPB NORTHEASTERN REGION
Northeastern Regional Office
1601 Market Street
Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA 19103
map / directions (215) 597-9960 – telephone
(215) 597-3456 – fax
philadelphia@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge William L. Boulden
Appellate Jurisdiction Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland (except Montgomery and Prince George’s counties), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey (except Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia
Videoconferencing Dennis Matthews
MSPB DALLAS REGION
Dallas Regional Office
1100 Commerce Street
Room 620
Dallas, TX 75242-9979
map / directions (214) 767-0555 – telephone
(214) 767-0102 – fax
dallas@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Laura M. Albornoz
Appellate Jurisdiction Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas
Videoconferencing Ann Fluellen
MSPB WESTERN REGION
Western Regional Office
*** New Location (as of October 16, 2017) ***
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1380N
Oakland, CA 94612-5217 map / directions (510) 273-7022 – telephone
(510) 273-7136 – fax
WesternRegionalOffice@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Sara Snyder
Appellate Jurisdiction Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Pacific overseas
Videoconferencing Nancy Bui
MSPB NY REGION
New York Field Office
26 Federal Plaza
Room 3137-A
New York, NY 10278-0022 map / directions (212) 264-9372 – telephone
(212) 264-1417 – fax
newyork@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Arthur S. Joseph
Appellate Jurisdiction New Jersey, (counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union), New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Videoconferencing Gwendolyn Gatling
MSPB DENVER REGION
Denver Field Office
165 South Union Boulevard
Suite 318
Lakewood, CO 80228-2211 map / directions (303) 969-5101 – telephone
(303) 969-5109 – fax
denver@mspb.gov
Chief Administrative Judge Stephen Mish
Appellate Jurisdiction Arizona, Colorado, Kansas (except Kansas City), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming
Videoconferencing Nicole Remmich
Where can you get advice from MSPB?
While you can call the MSPB, they have rules about what they can and cannot say.
They cannot offer any legal advice. You will need to contact an MSPB Attorney for specific legal questions and representation.
Please note that because of the Board’s independent, quasi-judicial functions, we cannot provide advisory opinions or advice on your particular situation.
General MSPB questions
If you have general questions about the MSPB’s regulations or procedures, you may contact our office at (202) 653-7200 or by email at mspb@mspb.gov. If you would like to speak in person to a member of the Clerk’s office, you must first schedule an appointment by calling or emailing our office. The Clerk’s Office may not be able to accommodate requests for same day appointments.
Accounting Officer Nancie Kebioh-Gray
202-254-4513
Contracting Officer Cynthia Richardson
(202) 254-4408
EEO Director and Requests for Reasonable Accommodation Jerry Beat
(202) 254-4405
Facilities Officer / Videoconferencing Stephen Smith
(202) 254-4411
Public Affairs mspb@mspb.gov
(202) 653-7200
FOIA Service Center foiahq@mspb.gov
(202) 254-4475
Deputy General Counsel Katherine Smith
(202) 653-7171 – telephone
(202) 653-6203 – fax
Legislative Counsel Rosalyn L. Coates
(202) 653-7171 – Telephone, (202) 653-6203 – Fax
Section 508 Compliance Coordinator Patricia Brooks
(202) 254-4418
MSPB Headquarters — Office of Regional Operations
1615 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20419
map / directions (202) 653-7200 – telephone
(202) 653-8911 – fax
ro@mspb.gov
Director of Regional Operations and Chief Administrative Judge Deborah Miron
