intelligence Community Representation
Expert Legal Assistance for Intelligence Community Employees
Our highly skilled attorneys are well-versed in providing intelligence community employees with the representation they need to obtain a favorable outcome, whether in matters related to security clearances, EEO complaints, or adverse actions. The intelligence community (IC) refers to government agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), among others, responsible for collecting, analyzing, and using intelligence information to support national security and other government functions.
Federal employees at these IC agencies often have different rights than Title 5 employees of executive agencies, as they are often in the excepted service and hired under Title 10, meaning that they might not have the usual civil service protections.
The Federal Practice Group represents clients in the intelligence community in various activities and cases, including:
- National Security Clearance: Assisting employees or contractors in obtaining and maintaining security clearances necessary for access to classified information.
- Classified Information Protection: Advising clients on the proper handling and protection of classified information to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Whistleblower Protection: Representing whistleblowers who disclose information about wrongdoing or illegal activities within the intelligence community and ensuring their legal rights and protections.
- Investigations: Representing clients who are subjects of investigations related to national security matters, such as allegations of espionage, unauthorized disclosures, or security breaches.
- Government Contracts: Providing legal counsel to companies or contractors involved in government intelligence-related contracts, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- FISA Court Proceedings: Representing clients in proceedings before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court), which oversees requests for surveillance warrants in national security cases.
- Due Process and Civil Liberties: Advocating for the protection of individual rights and civil liberties in cases involving intelligence-related actions or investigations.
- Espionage Act Defense: Defending individuals charged with violations of the Espionage Act, a federal law that criminalizes the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
- Intelligence Oversight: Advising clients on matters related to congressional oversight and compliance with intelligence community oversight mechanisms.
- Counterintelligence Matters: Representing clients involved in counterintelligence operations or cases related to protecting against foreign intelligence threats.
The attorneys at the Federal Practice Group provide intelligence community representation with a deep understanding of national security law, classified information procedures, and the unique challenges and complexities of working with intelligence agencies.
Since these cases often involve sensitive and classified information, our attorneys are prepared to navigate strict security protocols while vigorously advocating for your rights and interests.
Our Practice Focus
What Makes Us Different
From EEO complaints to adverse actions, our experienced federal employment attorneys ensure your entitlement to due process and legal representation every step of the way.
Represent government employees at all federal agencies, nationwide and overseas
Highly-skilled MSPB appeals attorneys with a proven track record
Notable success in EEO complaints and appeals
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal employees are protected from discrimination based on sex, gender, color, race, national origin, religion, age, and disability, and have the right to file an EEO complaint against their agency should they face discrimination. Federal employees also have the right to due process before being subjected to an adverse action.
Yes, federal employees can sue for discrimination, but first you must exhaust administrative remedies, which includes filing a formal complaint with your agency and letting 180 days pass. In many instances, federal employees elect to pursue their EEO complaints through the EEOC’s hearing process instead of filing a civil action.
Federal employees must initiate contact with an EEO Counselor within 45 days of any act of discrimination. After an informal complaint stage, you will be issued a Notice of Right to File a formal complaint, which will permit you 15 days to do so.
Federal employees do not have the right to sue for wrongful termination the way private sector employees do, but most federal employees have the right to appeal a removal to the MSPB, which will adjudicate whether the Agency can sustain any charges raised against you.
Yes, most federal employees can file a complaint against their agency with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) if they are facing whistleblower retaliation. If OSC does not accept your complaint for investigation and prosecution, OSC will issue you an Individual Right of Action (IRA) notice giving you the right to pursue corrective action at the MSPB. Federal employees do not have the right to sue in court under the Whistleblower Protection Act.