Podcasts about federal practice group

In this episode of The Worker Experience, host Edgar Ndjatou speaks with Debra D'Agostino, a Founding Partner at the Federal Practice Group about identifying and addressing harassment, and protections for Federal Workers. Learn more about your legal workplace rights ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Transcribed version of this episode is coming soon.

The firings of 1000s of federal employees have sparked a flurry of legal questions. There are plenty of nuances in the rules for probationary federal employees, and some legal eagles say agencies may have made errors or skirted probationary rules. Many fired feds have already filed appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board Federal News Network's drew Friedman gets more from Federal Practice Group founder, Attorney Deborah D'Agostino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The firings of 1000s of federal employees have sparked a flurry of legal questions. There are plenty of nuances in the rules for probationary federal employees, and some legal eagles say agencies may have made errors or skirted probationary rules. Many fired feds have already filed appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board Federal News Network's drew Friedman gets more from Federal Practice Group founder, Attorney Deborah D'Agostino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The worst time to look for a lawyer is when you have a big legal problem and need help. Nevertheless, that's exactly the position many people find themselves in when they start looking for a lawyer. Early on at Data Storage, Scott had a lawyer -- that is, the one appointed to him by his insurance company -- but not a good one, as he found out during a disastrous deposition while dealing with an employee harassment suit. The plaintiffs, on the other hand, had a great lawyer, and after the smoke cleared from the ordeal and Scott calmed down, he sought him out to represent Data Storage in the future.   His name is David Keesling, a highly accomplished civil litigator at Federal Practice Group who has represented thousands of clients ranging from small businesses to large, domestically and globally, in state and federal court. In this episode "Diamond" David, as Scott calls him, offers advice on how to find a good lawyer, how to develop a long-term relationship with a lawyer, and some of things small business owners need to be aware of when it comes to insurance and lawsuits.   You can contact David Keesling at: Email: dkeesling@fedpractice.com Web: https://fedpractice.com/meet_our_team/david-keesling/       Get in touch with the show! Email: show@stupidtaxpod.com   Mitchell Baldridge Twitter: @baldridgecpa https://baldridgecpa.ck.page https://baldridgefinancial.com   Scott Hambrick Twitter: @hambrickscott IG: @ogscotthambrick https://onlinegreatbooks.com

During our September 2023 panel event entitled "Reshaping Work," our expert panel discussed the PWFA, parental workplace rights, the recent Supreme Court decisions' impact on the workplace, and the future of work. Panelists include Vasu Reddy from the National Partnership for Women and Families, Katy Youker from the Economic Justice Project at the Lawyers' Committee and Debra D'Agostino from the Federal Practice Group. The host is Outten & Golden's Wayne Outten and the moderator is Workplace Fairness' Aaron Abram.

We are very fortunate to have Eric back on our show. Eric, from the Federal Practice Group here in DC, is the lawyer for Corporal Thae Ohu. Eric is here to talk updates on the case.

We are very fortunate to have Eric back on our show. Eric, from the Federal Practice Group here in DC, is the lawyer for Corporal Thae Ohu. Eric is here to talk updates on the case.

A bill from the House Oversight and Reform Committee would fix what members see as holes in the legal protections for whistleblowers. Among other things, it would give whistleblowers who claim retaliation access to jury trials if the Merit Systems Protection Board drags its feet. Joining the Federal Drive with analysis, whistleblower attorney Debra D'Agostino.

Cpl Thae Ohu, 27, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2013. She was born in a Burmese refugee camp in Thailand. Once her family received political asylum, her father brought his three daughters to the United States, settling in Fort Wayne, so they could have a future built on freedom. Two of his three daughters, Thae, and her older sister Pan Phyu joined the military, intent on serving the country that had granted them political asylum. Thae's first duty assignment as an Administrative Specialist was Okinawa, Japan. Here a fellow Marine would sexually assault her. It's unclear exactly when she first reported the assault to military officials, but in 2018, now stateside, she is diagnosed with PTSD. It is important to note that over her seven-year career, she earned many awards and was known to be a trusted and hardworking Marine. However, after having revealed her issues and sexual assault, command failed her time and time again, degrading her mental health to the point where she attempted suicide several times while on active duty. Eventually, she is recommended for medical retirement by a medical board for service-connected mental health conditions. During an April 5, 2020 fight with her then-boyfriend, she has a flashback of her assault. The civilian authorities arrest her for assault. No one is physically harmed and her then-boyfriend does not press charges. Two months later she is charged by the Marine Corps and placed into a military brig. Fast-forward to today, she has been incarcerated now for over eight months in the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake. She is charged with attempted murder, among other charges and is expected to face a general court-martial in the next month or so. Many see this case as a systematic failure by the US Marine Corps, with a laundry list of injustices. Thae's story has been shared widely online and in advocacy circles, as symbolic of broader issues, with how the military treats sexual assault victims, particularly those with resulting mental health issues. Her lawyer, Eric Montalvo is a former Marine who retired from active duty after 21 years, he is a founding partner of the Federal Practice Group, located in DC. He has earned an international reputation as an aggressive, thorough and respected trial attorney. Mr. Montalvo also has been recognized as a national leader in military law.  

Eliminating inequality and bias in the military RADM Alvin Holsey (USN), Commander of Navy Personnel Command, describes how the Task Force One Navy developed recommendations to improve Navy readiness by eliminating inequality and bias Updates on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Karlton Johnson, Chairman of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body, discusses how the CMMC board is listening to the Defense Industrial Base to improve the program for them and the Defense Department Updates on paid leave, vaccines and mask mandates for federal employees Jessica Klement, Staff Vice President for Policy and Programs at NARFE, and Joanna Friedman, Partner at The Federal Practice Group, talk about some of the most important news for federal employees to pay attention to from the past week

Budget reform efforts at the Pentagon Mackenzie Eaglen, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses what it will take to make major budget reforms at the Department of Defense Understanding the Best In Class ratings Larry Allen, President of Allen Federal Business Partners, explains Best In Class contracts, issues surrounding them and possible solutions Return to work at government agencies Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, Partner at Federal Practice Group, discusses what to expect as agencies develop returning to the office plans and how federal employees can start a dialogue on work arrangements

While the nation argues about racial discrimination, another group continues to suffer the slings and arrows of unequal treatment. Namely, pregnant women in the military. A House passed bill would require all organizations to make better accommodations for pregnancy. Joining me to walk through it and what it would mean to government agencies, Federal Practice Group partner Heather White.

New GAO report finds some top DHS appointments were illegal Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, Partner at Federal Practice Group, and Tom Spulak, Partner at King & Spalding, discuss the report from the Government Accountability Office stating that some top Department of Homeland Security appointments were illegal Inspector General says outdated IT systems hinder DHS’s mission John Zangardi, President of Redhorse Corporation, discusses the issue of legacy IT systems that are hindering the mission of the Department of Homeland Security Pandemic relief for defense contractors Amy Benson, Vice President of Government Affairs at SAIC, explains why benefits under Section 3610 of the CARES Act should be extended through the end of the calendar year

Planning for the return to the office Chris Mihm, Managing Director of Strategic Issues at GAO, discusses key considerations and provides recommendations for agencies coming up with reopening plans What federal employees can do if they’re called back to an unsafe workplace Joanna Friedman, Partner at The Federal Practice Group, discusses options federal employees have if they do not think they can safely return to their workplace The Pentagon operations and maintenance budget LTG Tom Spoehr (USA ret.), Director of the Center for National Defense at The Heritage Foundation, explains why Congress should give the Department of Defense the ability to roll over some of the money in its operations and maintenance budget

Rapid-fire changes in the ranks of big-agency inspectors general by the Trump White House have good-government and oversight groups rattled. And there's still no Senate-confirmed IG for the pandemic relief oversight. Could all of this have a chilling effect on the willingness of other IG's to issue unflattering reports? For some perspective the Federal Drive with Tom Temin turn to the founding partner of the Federal Practice Group, Debra D'Agostino.

When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Veterans Health Administration employee Noris Babb, it was saying a couple of things. In part, the court sorted out the differences in age the discrimination statute for federal employees, and the statute for everyone else. Joining me with what you need to know, Federal Practice Group partner Heather White.

Now that the largest federal employee union has sued the government for hazardous duty pay, the question arises, how many employees, outside those named in the suit, might be eligible governmentwide. For more on what hazardous pay is all about and a little history, we turn to Federal Practice Group partner Ricardo Pitts-Wiley.

Dale Cabaniss out as OPM director Max Stier, President & CEO of the Partnership for Public Service details the significance of the departure of recently confirmed OPM director, Dale Cabaniss as agencies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Census's response to the coronavirus Michael Cook, Chief of the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office discusses Census modifications to ensure employees are safe. The Defense Department response to the coronavirus pandemic Lernes Hebert, Principal Director of Military Personnel Policy at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense details efforts underway to inform military employees of teleworking options. Tips for federal employees during the coronavirus Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, highlights recommendations to federal employees seeking time off during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, details how discrepancies between OPM and the EPA’s time-off award policies may lead to inequalities. Tim Cooke, CEO & Owner of ASI Government, discusses efforts to simplify acquisition and promote innovation in government, and the “Periodic Table of Acquisition Elements” JW Butler, consultant at Centre Law & Consulting, breaks down changes to the GSA schedules, and how they will

The resignation of Kevin McAleenan has acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has brought up the question of acting officials and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The law places restrictions on how a president can fill openings temporarily. The Trump administration might be running afoul of that law. Attorney Debra D'Agostino of the Federal Practice Group joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin for an analysis.

Chris Hamm, director of GSA FEDSIM, discusses the Commercial Solutions Opening program, and how it could makes buying high tech solutions easier across government. Joanna Friedman, partner at the Federal Practice Group, discusses the court’s reversal of a prior decision on the workforce executive orders, and what the unions are planning to do about it. Michael Sachse, CEO of Stardog Union, and Steven Boberski, vice president of business development and product management at collab9, discuss the Federal Data Strategy from an industry perspective.

It hasn't been a good week for federal employee unions. A federal appeals judge overturned a lower court ruling that nullified Trump administration executive orders on official time, collective bargaining and other workplace matters. That means for now, the orders are in effect. To explain what this all could mean, Federal Practice Group law firm founding partner Debra D'Agostino joined Federal Drive.

Brodi Fontenot, former chief human capital officer at the Transportation Department and CEO of Fontenot Strategic Consulting, discusses a new report on why more senior executives than ever are retiring. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, details what the court ruling for the president’s Twitter account means for federal employees. Sammies finalist Leticia Pibida, physicist at the National Institute of Standards & Technology, discusses her work in standardizing hazardous material detectors at border crossings.

John Koskinen, former IRS commissioner, discusses the latest IRS reform bill, and what about it has widespread appeal in Congress. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, discusses the possibility of furloughs at the Office of Personnel Management, and how they are being used as “a weapon.” Leo Shane III, deputy editor of Military Times, discusses the leadership quakes at the Pentagon, and what they mean for the effectiveness of background checks in nominations.

The Office of Special Counsel surprised the federal community with last week's recommendation that White House aide Kellyanne Conway get canned. OSC found her to be a serial breaker of the Hatch Act, a venerable law that prohibits politics on the job, whether by appointees or career employees. Attorney Joanna Friedman, a partner at the Federal Practice Group, offered a short refresher on the Hatch Act for Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

Ron Marks, president of ZPN National Security and Cyber Strategies, discusses a report on Chinese cyber strategies, and why current cybersecurity methods are “not going to stand.” Jonathan Alboum, public sector chief technology officer at Veritas, discusses why federal hiring might take a hit after the partial shutdown and why mission is important for bringing in top talent. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, outlines restrictions on outside employment for furloughed workers, and why you should check your agency’s rules before applying for an interim job.

Robert Shea, principal at Grant Thornton Public Sector, discusses why the latest piece of open data legislation was a long time coming and the important changes it makes. Jerry McGinn, executive director of the Government Contracting Center at George Mason University, details how the public and private sectors are navigating the shutdown, and ways they could mitigate issues that arise. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, partner at the Federal Practice Group, outlines what federal employees can do to make additional money during the shutdown, and why you should check your agency’s rules before applying for an interim job.

The Defense Department has survived the first protest of its JEDI Cloud contract. But there’s at least one more – and mostly likely several more – still to come. Lauren Brier, an associate attorney with The Federal Practice Group joins us to talk about the legal issues involved in the protest Oracle filed, and why losing bidders might have more luck challenging the procurement after an award is made. Later, Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), the presumptive incoming chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on emerging threats and capabilities joins us to discuss his oversight and legislative priorities for the new Congress.

The Defense Department's massive Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract has cleared its first bid protest hurdle. But the cloud computing project is nowhere near out of the woods. The Government Accountability Office ruled in DoD's favor in a challenge filed by Oracle, but it still needs to decide another pre-award protest. And the contract is almost certain to face more legal challenges after DoD finally makes an award. Lauren Brie, an attorney who specializes in government contracts at the Federal Practice Group, spoke with Federal News Radio's Jared Serbu on Federal Drive with Tom Temin about the next steps.

Debra D'Agostino, founding partner of The Federal Practice Group, joins host Derrick Dortch on this week's Fed Access to discuss whistle blower protections for federal employees, and how to navigate the security clearance process in the federal government. July 22,2018

Among the many ideas for re-organizing the federal government, the Trump administration has proposed merging the Education and Labor Departments. Some say it's such a logical idea it will never happen, while others think it's cockamamie. Attorney Heather White, a federal employee lawyer and partner at the Federal Practice Group, has studied this proposal and joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin for a reaction.

Longer probation, shorter appeal deadlines, arbitrary pay for performance, they've already hit some federal employees and might be headed your say. To my next guest, most of what's going on in civil service reform is wrongheaded. Debra D'Agostino, founding partner of the Federal Practice Group, joins Federal Drive with Tom Temin with more.

We are very fortunate to have Eric back on our show. Eric, from the Federal Practice Group here in DC, is the lawyer for Corporal Thae Ohu. Eric is here to talk updates on the case.

Cpl Thae Ohu, 27, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2013. She was born in a Burmese refugee camp in Thailand. Once her family received political asylum, her father brought his three daughters to the United States, settling in Fort Wayne, so they could have a future built on freedom. Two of his three daughters, Thae, and her older sister Pan Phyu joined the military, intent on serving the country that had granted them political asylum. Thae's first duty assignment as an Administrative Specialist was Okinawa, Japan. Here a fellow Marine would sexually assault her. It's unclear exactly when she first reported the assault to military officials, but in 2018, now stateside, she is diagnosed with PTSD. It is important to note that over her seven-year career, she earned many awards and was known to be a trusted and hardworking Marine. However, after having revealed her issues and sexual assault, command failed her time and time again, degrading her mental health to the point where she attempted suicide several times while on active duty. Eventually, she is recommended for medical retirement by a medical board for service-connected mental health conditions. During an April 5, 2020 fight with her then-boyfriend, she has a flashback of her assault. The civilian authorities arrest her for assault. No one is physically harmed and her then-boyfriend does not press charges. Two months later she is charged by the Marine Corps and placed into a military brig. Fast-forward to today, she has been incarcerated now for over eight months in the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake. She is charged with attempted murder, among other charges and is expected to face a general court-martial in the next month or so. Many see this case as a systematic failure by the US Marine Corps, with a laundry list of injustices. Thae's story has been shared widely online and in advocacy circles, as symbolic of broader issues, with how the military treats sexual assault victims, particularly those with resulting mental health issues. Her lawyer, Eric Montalvo is a former Marine who retired from active duty after 21 years, he is a founding partner of the Federal Practice Group, located in DC. He has earned an international reputation as an aggressive, thorough and respected trial attorney. Mr. Montalvo also has been recognized as a national leader in military law.