In the News

We have the legal and policy experience to provide insight and analysis on issues across all three branches of the federal government.

Our lawyers specialize in federal employment law, federal government investigations, and security clearance proceedings. Members of the legal team are able to provide background or comment on the complexities of federal hiring and removal laws and novel legal and constitutional questions governing the federal workforce.

Our government and public affairs thought leaders are experienced in all areas of federal workforce policy and are able to speak on presidential actions relating to the federal workforce, agency human capital initiatives, and Congressional legislation impacting federal management and workforce planning.

If you are a member of the press, please contact Deputy Director of Government & Public Affairs Natalia Castro at ncastro@shawbransford.com.

Featured Stories

Appeals board protecting federal workers unable to function because of vacant positions

Norah O’Donnell interviewed SBR Partner Debra Roth for a 60 Minutes story on vacancies at the Merit Systems Protection Board.

NAPA 2020 Fall Meeting on Modernizing and Reinvigorating the Public Service NAPA Fellow Jeff Neal sits down with SBR Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel for a discussion on how to reinvigorate and modernize public service.

NAPA 2020 Fall Meeting on Modernizing and Reinvigorating the Public Service

NAPA Fellow Jeff Neal sits down with SBR Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel for a discussion on how to reinvigorate and modernize public service.

Recent Stories

Featured
Cultivating a Good Government Culture
Cultivating a Good Government Culture

Director of Government & Public Affairs, Jason Briefel was quoted in an article from govloop.com regarding the need for the government to save itself from its own inefficiencies and bureaucracy.

FDIC Lawyer Stayed on Paid Leave for Weeks After Child Porn Arrest
FDIC Lawyer Stayed on Paid Leave for Weeks After Child Porn Arrest

The special counsel entered a plea of guilt, while the bank regulator initiated termination procedures this week.

For General Schedule employees, pay compression got a little worse in 2024
For General Schedule employees, pay compression got a little worse in 2024

Director of Government & Public Affairs, Jason Briefel was quoted in an article from Federal News Netowk about discussing pay compression issues for General Schedule (GS) employees in the year 2024

After a summer break, Congress has a lot on its plate this fall
After a summer break, Congress has a lot on its plate this fall

Deputy Director of Government & Public Affairs, Natalia Castro offering insight into the political dynamics surrounding legislation on accountability for federal employees in this article from Federal News Network

Reforming federal hiring: Does the Chance to Compete Act promise more than the government can deliver?
Reforming federal hiring: Does the Chance to Compete Act promise more than the government can deliver?

Federal News Network quotes Jason Briefel in an article about reforming federal hiring

Pay Compression: How It Hurts You & The Public
Pay Compression: How It Hurts You & The Public

Director of Government & Public Affairs, Jason Briefel offers insight on the pay caps in this podcast from FEDupward.

The CHCO Council’s role is growing, but major recruitment and retention challenges remain
The CHCO Council’s role is growing, but major recruitment and retention challenges remain

Federal News Network quotes Jason Briefel on the growing role of the CHCO Council and persistent recruitment and retention challenges.

Pay Caps: Fed Exec Lobby Group Says Reform Is Past Due
Pay Caps: Fed Exec Lobby Group Says Reform Is Past Due

Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel offers insight on the Pay Caps in this article from Government Executive.

‘OPM sent a signal’: Still no final regulations on 2017 administrative leave law
‘OPM sent a signal’: Still no final regulations on 2017 administrative leave law

Debra Roth and Jason Briefel were quoted in Federal News Network to comment on OPM’s failure to implement the Administrative Leave Act

How agency leaders can prepare for more aggressive House oversight
How agency leaders can prepare for more aggressive House oversight

Attorney Christopher Keeven was quoted expressing his viewpoint in a recent story from Federal News Network on the best way for agency leaders to get ready for more rigorous House oversight

Congressional investigations are heating up. Can career feds protect themselves?
Congressional investigations are heating up. Can career feds protect themselves?

Attorney Christopher Keeven recently was quoted sharing his thoughts in Federal News Network on how career federal employees might protect themselves as congressional investigations heat up.

Here's How Career Feds Can Avoid Getting Tripped Up by Congressional Investigations
Here's How Career Feds Can Avoid Getting Tripped Up by Congressional Investigations

Attorney Christopher Keeven was quoted expressing his viewpoint in a recent story from Government Executive on how career federal employees may prevent being caught off guard in congressional investigations.

Will This Court Decision Gut the Regulatory State?
Will This Court Decision Gut the Regulatory State?

Attorney Conor Dirks appeared on the GovExec Daily podcast to discuss the Fifth Circuit's recent decision concerning the Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to adjudicate securities fraud.

Results Out for Third Round of Pulse Surveys, What Should Agencies Do with the Data?
Results Out for Third Round of Pulse Surveys, What Should Agencies Do with the Data?

Drew Friedman of the Federal News Network asks Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel how federal management can take government pulse surveys as an opportunity for growth.

Senior Federal Employees Also Have Reason to Be Glad the Merit Systems Protection Board Is Back in Business
Senior Federal Employees Also Have Reason to Be Glad the Merit Systems Protection Board Is Back in Business

Jason Briefel, Director of Government & Public Affairs, joins the Federal Drive with Tom Temin to discuss the Merit Systems Protection Board recent a quorum of two members after five years.

Federal Government’s Coronavirus Struggle: Employees Back to the Office
Federal Government’s Coronavirus Struggle: Employees Back to the Office

Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel recently spoke with Lisa Rein of The Washington Post following a federal injunction of the vaccine mandate and updated Safer Federal Workforce Task Force's guidance.

The 2017 VA Accountability Law and the Courts
The 2017 VA Accountability Law and the Courts

Attorney Conor D. Dirks appeared on the GovExec Daily podcast to discuss two cases that knock down the Department of Veterans Affairs' interpretation of a 2017 accountability rule.

OPM digs into the post-pandemic puzzle of remote work and locality pay
OPM digs into the post-pandemic puzzle of remote work and locality pay

Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel offers insight on the future of locality pay for remote workers in this article from FCW (Federal Computer Week).

In 'Landmark' Ruling, Court Raises Threshold for Firing Feds
In 'Landmark' Ruling, Court Raises Threshold for Firing Feds

Debra Roth was appointed by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to write an amicus brief in the case of Santos v. NASA, which resulted in a landmark decision. She comments to Government Executive on the ramifications of the ruling for the federal workforce.

Trump went to war with his own government. Biden now has to repair it.
Trump went to war with his own government. Biden now has to repair it.

Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel spoke with Joe Davidson of The Washington Post regarding engagement from the federal workforce

The ‘deep state’ of loyalists Trump is leaving behind for Biden
The ‘deep state’ of loyalists Trump is leaving behind for Biden

Jason Briefel is quoted on burrowing in this Politico article.

As White House Steps Up Schedule F Implementation, ‘Lawmakers Don’t Get It’
As White House Steps Up Schedule F Implementation, ‘Lawmakers Don’t Get It’

Jason Briefel is quoted in this Government Executive piece on the logistical ramifications of the Schedule F executive order.

Trump Moves Forward With Changes to Federal Hiring, Firing
Trump Moves Forward With Changes to Federal Hiring, Firing

Jason Briefel comments on the ramifications of Schedule F in The Wall Street Journal.

This Excel Spreadsheet Could Put Thousands Of Federal Employees In Trump’s Crosshairs
This Excel Spreadsheet Could Put Thousands Of Federal Employees In Trump’s Crosshairs

Jason Briefel is quoted in Talking Points Memo on the Schedule F executive order.

Biden confronts staffing crisis at federal agencies
Biden confronts staffing crisis at federal agencies

Jason Briefel offers perspective to Politico on staffing issues facing the civil service.

Biden's Transition Has Focused on Civil Service Issues as Familiar Faces Spearhead Efforts
Biden's Transition Has Focused on Civil Service Issues as Familiar Faces Spearhead Efforts

Jason Briefel is quoted in Government Executive to offer perspective on the upcoming transition relating to career civil servants.

Appeals board protecting federal workers unable to function because of vacant positions
Appeals board protecting federal workers unable to function because of vacant positions

Norah O’Donnell interviewed SBR Partner Debra Roth for a 60 Minutes story on vacancies at the Merit Systems Protection Board.

NAPA 2020 Fall Meeting on Modernizing and Reinvigorating the Public Service
NAPA 2020 Fall Meeting on Modernizing and Reinvigorating the Public Service

NAPA Fellow Jeff Neal sits down with SBR Director of Government & Public Affairs Jason Briefel for a discussion on how to reinvigorate and modernize public service.

How the Government Can Hire and Retain Talent Better
How the Government Can Hire and Retain Talent Better

Jason Briefel appeared on the GovExec Daily podcast to discuss the challenges of government human capital management.

Multiple Federal Initiatives Encompass Future of Work Efforts
Multiple Federal Initiatives Encompass Future of Work Efforts

Jason Briefel co-wrote a piece on modernization efforts at the Department of Defense and across the federal government for TD Magazine.