Litigation and Advocacy Training Courses
FELTG offers a number of courses to enhance the knowledge and practical skills of those federal employees involved in litigation and hearings before the EEOC, MSPB, FLRA and in arbitration. From basic processes to the most advanced advocacy requirements, FELTG instructors deliver the content in practical, useful modules that provide the student with the tools needed to effectively practice employment law and represent the client when it matters most.
AD-1: Basic MSPB & EEOC Litigation (1 day)
This one-day course walks attendees through the legal theories of the MSPB and EEOC, as well as hearing formats and practices with guidance on witness preparation, evidence, pre-hearing submissions, opening and closing statements, and much more. This is a concise but thorough introduction for those new to the MSPB and EEOC processes.
Course Topics: Litigation timelines; timeliness; pre-hearing motions; discovery; hearing organization and structure; litigation strategies and techniques; writing documents for the MSPB and EEOC.
AD-2: Conducting Effective Discovery (1 day)
Discovery is your opportunity to obtain the information and documents that are critical to your case. But discovery is fraught with pitfalls. This session will cover everything you need to know about this critical stage of the litigation process.
Course Topics: Types of evidence; proper procedures for gathering evidence; interview techniques; deposition rules; dealing with difficult witnesses; witness rights to representation; management rights; union considerations; information requests.
AD-3: Hearings & Witness Preparation (1-2 days)
FELTG’s experienced instructors will methodically describe the keys of each step in prepping your case, whether it’s getting witnesses ready, developing the record, objecting to documents, preparing your lines of questioning, or closing statements. Learn how to prepare an engaging and effective case with FELTG, targeted to the appropriate forum.
Course Topics: Hearing types; examination and cross examination of witnesses; friendly and non-friendly witnesses; emotional witnesses; confrontational witnesses; documentary evidence; tangible physical evidence; credibility factors; prior bad acts; experts; forensic evidence.
AD-4: MSPB & EEOC Hearing Practices (3, 4 or 5 days)
This workshop-based seminar focuses on practicing effectively and successfully in administrative hearings involving federal employment law. Begin by preparing the case when assigned to a team that represents either the agency or the employee, get organized for the hearing, and learn the techniques of effective direct- and cross-examination. Try the case before an Administrative Judge and receive a critique along with the decision. Close out the program with an appreciation for the available appellate procedures.
Course Topics: Focus on practicing effectively and successfully in administrative hearings; preparing a case; getting organized for the hearing; techniques of effective direct and cross-examination; developing, preparing and trying the case. The four or five-day course culminates in a mock hearing.
AD-5: Writing for the Win: Legal Writing in Federal Sector EEO Cases
This workshop-based class covers the fundamentals of good legal writing, before the EEOC, and builds on those basics with sessions targeted to material organization, framing claims, neutral and persuasive writing, and drafting specific documents for the EEOC, including Letters of Acceptance/Dismissal, Final Agency Decisions, Motions for Summary Judgment, Appeals, and EEO Settlement Agreements. Through the use of several in-class writing workshops, you will receive immediate feedback, analysis, and evaluation from FELTG’s experienced instructors. Be ready to write!
Course Topics: The basics: legal writing and citation formats; argumentative approaches; writing from the reader’s perspective; organizational logic; word choice and structure; legal terms; court structure; defining and distinguishing claims, defenses and issues; handling fragmentation issues; F-IRAC in federal sector writing; persuasion; educating the reader; analyzing evidence; organizing arguments; distinguishing cases; writing Letters of Acceptance/Dismissal; drafting legally enforceable settlement agreements; writing Final Agency Decisions; motion practice and summary judgment; writing an effective Motion for Summary Judgment; OFO briefs; EEOC appeals; editing your work.
AD-6: Drafting Legally-Sufficient Discipline & Performance Documents (1 day)
Yes, some federal managers lack the courage to take disciplinary action or to hold poor-performing employees accountable. But the full blame doesn’t lie solely with managers. Legal practitioners and advisors often demand more than is necessary from managers and make everyone’s job too difficult. In this one-day class, you’ll learn the legally-required necessary steps to drafting the most effective discipline and performance documents, and will learn how to streamline the processes in order to to take actions more efficiently.
Course Topics: The foundations of the civil service; accountability for misconduct; discipline fundamentals and nexus; major options to discipline; probationary employees; misconduct v. unacceptable performance; the five elements of discipline; the procedures of discipline and appeal; drafting proposal notices, decision letters, legal requirements for performance standards; Performance Demonstration Period implementation memos and proposal and decision letters.
AD-7: Recent Developments in Federal Sector Employment Law (1 day)
One case. One executive order. Either can immediately turn federal sector employment law upside down. This comprehensive daylong course will help ensure that you don’t make an embarrassing mistake simply because you weren’t paying attention. We’ll review recent notable cases and reports from all the third-party adjudicatory and legislative bodies, but more importantly, we’ll also provide with these updates the in-depth analysis you expect from FELTG’s seasoned instructors.
Course Topics: The very latest on the MSPB, EEOC, FLRA, OSC & OPM; new legislation; regulations; case law; Executive Orders; policy initiatives; recent trends
Upcoming Litigation and Advocacy Training Events
Course Description
Discovery is a critical and effective part of any litigation – when conducted properly. Annoying and abusive discovery techniques could have negative consequences, and possibly even lead to sanctions. From disrespect and profanity in depositions to the other party refusing to produce requested documents, it’s important to be prepared for any situation. In this half-day class, Attorney at Law Katherine Atkinson will provide you with a grounding in the Federal Rules of Evidence, as well as the procedural methods for the MSPB and EEOC. Ms. Atkinson will offer guidance on all forms of written discovery – interrogatories, document requests, depositions, and requests for admission – and she’ll review possible sanctions and how best to avoid them.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Most effectively request and respond to requests for written discovery.
- Recognize actions that could lead to sanctions.
- Differentiate between the discovery procedures of the MSPB and EEOC.
Date and Time
December 12, 2023, 1 – 4:30 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Price
- Early Bird Tuition (register by November 27): $370
- Standard Tuition (register November 28 or later): $395
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through November 27. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through November 27.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Any effective misconduct investigation starts with a solid foundation of the law and an understanding of the full scope of your investigation.
In this two-hour class, Ann Boehm will explain the principles that underpin a successful investigation of federal employee misconduct and harassment, including the five elements of discipline, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and more. She’ll share guidance on developing the investigation, from creating a plan to determining who to interview and gathering relevant documents.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Identify the relationship between the foundations of federal accountability and misconduct investigations.
- Recognize the mistakes that derail effective misconduct and harassment investigations.
- Discern the difference between EEO and non-EEO harassment.
Date and Time
January 17, 2024, 1 – 3 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Price
- Early Bird Tuition (register by January 2): $345
- Standard Tuition (register January 3-17): $385
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through January 2. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through January 2.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.