Federal Employee Legal Services Center - Washington, District of Columbia

Melanie S.

This organization needs to be investigated immediately.
I've called for 3+ months to inquire about obtaining legal representation for a work related matter. However, the receptionist continues to take my contact information, claims she passing it along, but yet the attorneys REFUSE to reach out to me.
In addition, when one did reach out to me via email early on, by the name of Rosemary Dettling, she refused to further answer my questions, in regards to a consultation AND has avoided my calls and emails like the plague.
It's almost as if this place is suspiciously blackballing and refusing to consult with me for reasons unknown.
Completely unprofessional.

G M.

They were very patient and helped me understand the legal principles of my case and what I needed to do to win. They discussed the burdens of proof and never talked down to me. They hardly ever billed for phone calls an administrative things like emails. I was pleased to learn that my retainer was used sparingly and only for work that had to be completed for the judge. They definitely do not gouge you. I am always suspicions and was pleasantly surprised that they dispelled all my previous opinions of lawyers.

Lynne D.

Best Decision I Ever Made
5.0 stars
Posted by Lynne
Tuesday at 1:23pm
Hired attorney
In 2007 I filed an EEO Complaint against my employer for a hostile work environment and later included retaliation when I was denied a promotion. The case went to mediation and I won my promotion and a 2-step increase, however I was responsible for my attorney fees. My attorney at the time warned me that this would not be the end of it. As soon as the agreement was signed, the retaliation began in earnest, subtle at first and later to the point that I was falsely accused of unprofessional conduct. I contacted my first attorney to represent me but he declined the case. I then contacted what I thought to be a reputable law firm in DC, only to be bled dry of what little savings I had as well as what I had to borrow against my 401K before we even got to hearing. Ultimately that was the point I realized that my attorneys had no intention of going to hearing, even though I was adamant upon hiring them that this time I had to go to hearing.
This firm switched my attorney three times in the three weeks prior to the actual depositions, and during the deposition phase failed to properly represent me. When I declined to sign a new retainer for responding to Agency’s Motion for Summary Judgement, which was due in one week, my attorney stated that “This time they would really fight for me and in the next breath stated he had a great idea to get agency to settle”. At that point, I hung up the phone and searched desperately for a new attorney to represent me. That is when I found Rosemary Dettling. She took my case at the 11th hour (less than 1 week to respond to agency’s motion for SJ), received my file less than two business days prior to the response date because my former law firm dragged their feet in releasing my file) and was able to make such a compelling argument to deny SJ that we were granted a hearing date. The hearing was held last week and when I tell you that Rosemary Dettling is the ONLY attorney you should have represent you before the EEOC, that is a huge understatement! She was able to get all of agency’s witnesses to admit wrongdoing when I think they actually believed they were credible witnesses! We have not received a decision yet from the hearing, but I am confident that we will prevail.
Rosemary Dettling is the most competent, knowledgeable and compassionate attorney I have ever met and I would not be in the position I currently find myself in without her. You will not find better representation anywhere! As frightening as it was to switch attorneys at the last minute, it was the best decision I have made in my adult life! I highly recommend Rosemary Dettling, and I am proud to call her my attorney.

D N.

Rosemary Dettling is an amazing lawyer! Let me start off by saying she has showed me a great deal of compassion and understanding as my case has been very stressful for me. She has taken the time out of her personal day to assure me of my case and laid my anxiety to rest. She is straight forward with her rates, I believe she is very comparable in pricing, there are no hidden fees. Rosemary took my case when no one else would. Her knowledge of my case, confidence and professionalism during court presenting my case exceeded my expectations! I would and have recommended Rosemary Dettling to anyone needing an EEOC lawyer. There are no words that can describe my gratitude for R as she believes in me and my case.
Thank you Rosemary.

Chris S.

Ms. Dettling has been my lawyer for about two years now, She has shown the professionalism, expertise and passion it takes, in my opinion, to deal with very intricate and detailed federal cases. My personal cases are both whistleblower retaliation for protected disclosures against the U.S. Army, one for removal from my security compliance duties, and one for my termination.
Though Ms. Dettling knew nothing about my duties when I first selected her as my Counselor, She took the time necessary to understand the issues and by the hearing dates She was able to communicate and cut through the bureaucracy as if she new my profession inside and out. Ms. Dettling has acquired nothing but positive results in both cases.

Barry B.

Kristen Farr and Rosemary Dettling are Awesome, I recommend them to anyone who's going through an EEOC dispute mine has been related to disability and harassment, a security section in my agency tried to question with out either attorney and Kristen put a stop to immediately, they have been at my side the whole time and it's been almost a year, I praise for these two wonderful attorneys they're an attribute to their profession

CK T.

I called and they asked my name and email address. They emailed me retainer form with a minimum to charge my bank account $7000 without knowing anything about my case. I run away.

TCLA B.