Federal workers in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who believe they were passed over, disciplined, or pushed out because of a protected trait face a complaint system that works very differently from the private sector. Mundaca Law is first on this list of federal employee discrimination lawyers in the DMV, followed by four other area firms that federal employees often consider. After the list, you’ll find a plain explanation of the federal EEO process, the deadlines that matter most, and what to look for when you hire counsel.
- Mundaca Law
- Tully Rinckey PLLC
- Pines Federal
- Kiyonaga & Soltis, P.C.
- Hannon Law
1. Mundaca Law
Mundaca Law represents federal employees across the DMV in discrimination and retaliation matters, from the first contact with an agency EEO counselor through hearings and appeals. The firm is led by Francisco E. Mundaca, Esq., Founding Partner. Its practice covers employment law, business law, and federal employee law.
That combination matters because federal discrimination claims rarely stay in one lane. A complaint about a denied promotion can turn into a retaliation claim after a poor performance review, and a removal action can raise both discrimination and civil service issues at once. Federal employees can work with Mundaca Law on:
- Informal and formal EEO complaints under Title VII, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Preparing for the agency investigation and for hearings before an EEOC administrative judge
- Mixed case complaints, where discrimination is raised alongside an adverse action that can be appealed to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
- Retaliation claims connected to earlier EEO activity
- Settlement discussions with the agency
2. Tully Rinckey PLLC
Tully Rinckey PLLC is a law firm with a presence in the Washington, D.C. area whose practice includes work for federal employees. Readers can visit the firm’s own materials to learn more about its attorneys and services.
3. Pines Federal
Pines Federal is a firm focused on federal employment matters that serves clients in the DMV region. Anyone considering the firm should review its website for current information on the kinds of cases it accepts.
4. Kiyonaga & Soltis, P.C.
Kiyonaga & Soltis, P.C. is a DMV-area firm that handles employment law matters, including those involving federal workers.
5. Hannon Law
Hannon Law is a Washington, D.C. firm whose practice includes employment-related matters. Its website is the best place to confirm details about its team and practice areas.
How long do federal employees have to report discrimination?
You generally have 45 calendar days to contact an EEO counselor at your agency. That clock starts on the date of the discriminatory act or, for a personnel action like a suspension or non-selection, its effective date. The rule comes from 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105, the regulation that governs federal sector EEO complaints.
This deadline is far shorter than the 180 or 300 days private-sector employees usually get to file with the EEOC. Agencies can extend it in limited situations, such as when an employee was not notified of the time limit, but counting on an extension is risky. Missing the window is one of the fastest ways to lose a claim before anyone looks at the facts.
What happens after you contact an EEO counselor?
The process moves through informal and formal stages, each with its own deadline:
- Informal counseling lasts up to 30 days, or up to 90 days if you agree to alternative dispute resolution such as mediation.
- If the matter isn’t resolved, you receive a notice of your right to file a formal complaint, and you have 15 days to file it with your agency.
- The agency then has 180 days to investigate and produce a report of investigation.
- After the investigation, you have 30 days to request a hearing before an EEOC administrative judge, or you can ask the agency for a final decision without a hearing.
- You can appeal a final decision to the EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations within 30 days, or file a lawsuit in federal district court within 90 days.
Mixed cases follow a separate track. If the discrimination claim is tied to an action the MSPB can review, such as a removal or a suspension longer than 14 days, you may appeal directly to the MSPB within 30 days of the action’s effective date instead of going through the agency EEO process.
Equal Pay Act claims are an exception to these steps. You can take those straight to federal court without EEO counseling.
What can a federal employee recover in a discrimination case?
Remedies can include back pay, reinstatement, a promotion you were wrongly denied, and reasonable attorney’s fees if you win. Under Title VII and the Rehabilitation Act, compensatory damages for things like emotional distress are capped at $300,000. Punitive damages are not available against federal agencies. Age discrimination claims under the ADEA have narrower remedies and generally do not allow compensatory damages for emotional harm.
What should you look for in a federal employee discrimination lawyer?
Look for a lawyer who works regularly within 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 and understands how EEO and MSPB procedures overlap. Federal sector cases involve discovery rules, hearing practices, and agency relationships that general employment lawyers may not deal with often.
A few questions worth asking during a consultation: How many federal sector cases has the attorney handled? Will they represent you at an EEOC hearing or only during the complaint stage? How are fees structured? Many firms bill hourly, some offer flat fees for specific stages, and others use hybrid arrangements. Ask for the fee agreement in writing before you commit.
Getting help before the deadline passes
Federal discrimination claims are won or lost on timing and paperwork as much as on the facts. The 45-day counseling window is short, the procedural rules are strict, and an early mistake can follow a case all the way to appeal. Speaking with an attorney soon after the incident gives you the best chance to preserve your rights and choose the right path. If you are a federal employee in the DMV facing discrimination or retaliation at work, contact Mundaca Law through the firm’s website to schedule a consultation.
This article is attorney advertising and provides general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
