Empowering Federal Attorneys: 4 by 8 Tips

By Carolyn Elefant | February 21, 2025

Federal attorneys are facing unprecedented disruption under the Trump Administration.  In these dark times, it’s never been more important to understand your rights and know that there are options.  Below are 8 tips for preserving your rights as an employee, understanding student loan options. Triaging the start of your own law firm and establishing an online brand.  For a recording of the full webinar (which took place February 19, 2025), register here.

Employment Rights

  1. Preserve Evidence – Download and save your eOPF, SF-50 forms, performance appraisals, and any positive supervisor emails in case you need to challenge employment actions.
  2. Know Your Civil Service Protections – Most permanent GS employees have due process rights, meaning you must be notified of allegations and given an opportunity to respond before removal.
  3. Understand Appeal Options – Removals can be appealed to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), where the agency has the burden of proof.
  4. Be Aware of Short Deadlines – Federal employees only have 30 days to appeal adverse actions to the MSPB.
  5. Know Your Whistleblower Rights – Reporting potential violations of law, mismanagement, or gross waste of funds may be protected speech.
  6. Consider EEO Complaints – Retaliation claims are often easier to prove than discrimination claims and must be filed within 45 days.
  7. Seek Legal Counsel Quickly – Federal employment law is highly specialized; consult an attorney with federal sector expertise as soon as an issue arises.
  8. Monitor Reduction in Force (RIF) Notices – RIFs are appealable, and agencies often make technical mistakes that can be challenged.

Student Loan Forgiveness

  1. Check Loan Type – Only Federal Direct Loans qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you have FFEL loans, consolidate them into Direct Loans (though past payments won’t count retroactively).
  2. Use Income-Based Repayment (IBR) – IBR is the safest long-term option, as some other repayment plans have been affected by legal challenges.
  3. Download Loan Records – Log in to StudentAid.gov and download your PSLF qualifying payment history and servicer records.
  4. Maintain Employment with a Qualifying Employer – You must be employed by a government or nonprofit at the time of applying for forgiveness.
  5. Monitor SAVE Litigation – The SAVE plan has been legally challenged, and if you’re in forbearance under SAVE, consider switching to IBR to continue accumulating qualifying payments.
  6. Check PSLF Payment Counter – A new tracker on StudentAid.gov shows how many payments you’ve made toward forgiveness.
  7. Use Zero-Income Certification – If you’re unemployed, apply for IBR and report zero income for 12 months of $0 payments while earning PSLF credit.
  8. Stay Informed on Policy Changes – Lawsuits and regulatory changes affect student loan forgiveness frequently—monitor reliable sources like the Student Loan Borrower Protection Center.

Starting a Law Firm

  1. Recognize Law Firm Ownership as an Option – Even if you lose a federal job, owning a law firm is a viable career path that provides autonomy and financial control.
  2. Leverage Your Government Experience – Federal attorneys have valuable skills, industry knowledge, and agency insights that can set them apart in private practice.
  3. Explore Alternative Business Models – Aside from a traditional law firm, you can work as a contract attorney, start a consulting practice, or provide specialized training.
  4. Increase Financial Flexibility Before Leaving Employment – Raise credit card limits, consider a home equity line of credit, and prepay for costs like additional bar admissions or bootcamps.
  5. Develop a Simple Online Presence – A website, LinkedIn page, and an easy way to accept electronic payments (e.g., LawPay) are essential for getting started.
  6. Tell Everyone You’re Open for Business – Announce your firm to colleagues, on LinkedIn, and in professional groups to generate referrals.
  7. Use AI to Scale Quickly – AI tools can help with drafting legal documents, generating marketing content, and automating administrative tasks.
  8. Consider Federal Law Practice Areas – If barred in a limited jurisdiction, focus on federal practice areas like immigration, bankruptcy, or trademark law.

Branding for Lawyers

  1. Define Your Personal Brand – Identify what makes you unique as a lawyer—your expertise, approach, or niche.
  2. Develop a LinkedIn Strategy – Engage with posts, publish a LinkedIn newsletter, and comment on legal topics to increase visibility.
  3. Showcase Thought Leadership – Write articles, participate in panels, and create video or podcast content to establish credibility.
  4. Repurpose Content Across Platforms – A long-form article can be broken into LinkedIn posts, social media snippets, and even a podcast episode.
  5. Leverage Online Groups – LinkedIn groups are underutilized but can make you highly visible if you post consistently.
  6. Grow Your Network Intentionally – Connect with professionals in your industry and adjacent fields to expand your referral base.
  7. Automate Social Media Posting – Use scheduling tools to keep your content circulating without constant manual effort.
  8. Create an Evergreen Presence – Ensure your online presence (website, social profiles, content) reflects your professional expertise and is easily discoverable.

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