For Lawyers
Volunteer to Help Federal Workers
Lawyers who join the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network provide pro bono support for federal workers who have been fired or have concerns about their employment rights. Lawyers receive training to help workers understand their rights and legal options.
Two Ways to Help
Lawyers who join the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network can currently provide two types of support.
The training and materials the Legal Defense Network provides allow lawyers to provide either of these services. Lawyers determine which services they want to provide and select how often they wish to volunteer.
Short Screening Calls
Federal workers will contact volunteer lawyers to schedule a 15- to 20-minute pro bono conversation. During these conversations, lawyers will determine if the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network can assist the worker, refer eligible workers for a one-hour pro bono consultation with them or another lawyer, and share specific materials from our resource library to help workers navigate their cases.
One-Hour Consultations
Lawyers can also offer more in-depth, one-hour pro bono consultations with workers after their initial screening. These consultations may go into more detail about specific questions related to the worker’s rights and options, or the worker may ask for help completing forms or understanding documents. It is possible that the consultation may last slightly more or less than one hour, or that it may take place over more than one session if, for example, the lawyer or the worker needs to acquire additional information to complete the consultation.
Eligibility, Training and Support
Lawyers who join the Legal Defense Network must:
Have at least one active license.
Be in good standing in all jurisdictions where they practice.
Be in compliance with malpractice insurance requirements in the jurisdictions where they practice.
Volunteer lawyers must have professional practice experience with federal labor or employment law or complete a free training provided by the Legal Defense Network. Training is available on demand by video or occasionally live over Zoom. Lawyers will have access to written materials to reference before and during their conversations with federal workers.
Lawyers must provide all screening calls and one-hour consultations offered through the Legal Defense Network on a fully pro bono basis. Lawyers are not required to provide any further services but may choose to do so pro bono, at a reduced rate or market rate.
Further Services and Representation
Lawyers have no obligation to provide services beyond the screening calls and one-hour consultations they schedule through the Legal Defense Network. Lawyers may offer additional services like follow-up consultations, assistance with appeal documents or representing a worker in a hearing. Federal workers are not required to accept additional services from the lawyer.
Initial screening conversations and consultations scheduled through the Legal Defense Network must be provided pro bono, but lawyers may offer additional services pro bono, at a reduced rate, or at their ordinary market rate. Lawyers must reach an agreement, which includes any applicable fees, with workers before commencing any work for which the worker may be billed. We urge you to make your services for federal workers as affordable as possible.
If you agree to provide additional services to a federal worker, you must also agree to:
Clearly set out and review any limits to your representation.
Regularly provide the client with updates and information.
Review information provided by the client in a timely manner.
Charge no more than a reasonable fee consistent with those charged for similar work in the relevant market.
Law Students and Inactive Lawyers
At this time, only actively licensed lawyers in compliance with malpractice insurance requirements in the jurisdiction where they practice may provide services through the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. Over time, we may have additional roles that are suitable for law students and lawyers with inactive licenses. If you’d like to be contacted if those opportunities arise, please submit this form explaining your situation.