Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Yes, we provide an initial, no-cost, and no-obligation consultation. This no-obligation consultation typically lasts one half an hour and is conducted via phone. The primary objective of this consultation is to determine if our services are applicable to your situation and if they would be cost-effective. Requests for a no-cost consultation can be initiated by clicking here (fastest method).

 

Do you require a retainer agreement or contract?

No.  We do not require formal retainer agreements because our project-based fees do not warrant them. We send prospective clients electronic proposals they can accept or reject.  No proposal will ever require you to pay to replenish a retainer.  

​

Are consultants attorneys?

No.  Consultants are former senior level federal employee & labor relations and EEO specialists (ELR / EEO) who have practiced for decades representing federal agencies, senior executives, managers, and in some cases, unions.  Our CHief COnsultant & Analysis has over 35 years of experience.  

​

How available are consultants to clients?

Our consultants offer unmatched accessibility. Once you establish a flat-rate or hourly agreement, you receive the direct phone number (voice and text) to your consultant’s dedicated client line.  You may also email your consultant directly.

• Hours: Available 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including holidays).

• Global Support: We support federal employees worldwide across all time zones.

• Response Times: Texts and short emails are typically answered within a few hours and sometimes within a few minutes depending upon the nature of the email. Voicemails are usually returned within a few hours.

 

Will you work with my union representative?

Yes, we appreciate working with union representatives and a few of us were former federal union leaders ourselves. Often, this arrangement can result in cost savings and expedite our entry into your case, saving you money as well as improve local union representation. We have received positive feedback from labor unions in this regard. If your union leadership has technical questions about how we can support your defense, or provide technical assistance to union representatives, we are happy to speak with them directly at no cost.

 

Do I need an attorney or union representative?

No, unless you want one. Federal regulations do not require you to hire an attorney or use a union steward for administrative personnel matters. You have the right to represent yourself or choose an independent representative or advisor.  We have actually seen cases in which a spouse or sibling was a designated representative.  

​

You can retain a (non-attorney) consultant to guide you through proceedings before the:

• Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

• Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

• Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)

• Labor Arbitration Panels

• And any other administrative venues including internal grievances, Reasonable Accommodation processes, internal Disciplinary Appeals Boards (DAB), suitability issues, Freedom of Information Act processes (FOIA), etc.

 

If your case requires formal legal counsel, we will tell you immediately. We can even advise you on how to select a federal employment attorney and review their retainer agreement at no charge.  But, the decision is yours to make.

 

Who will provide the consultation?

Consulting is provided directly by former senior-level federal labor and employment relations experts who previously provided executive-level consulting and transactional litigation support services to federal agencies, executives, and managers. They have sat in the same agency offices that built the case against you. They were the investigators and advisors.  They know the personalities, politics, nuances, and procedures because they helped design them. These consultants have practiced before the MSPB, EEOC, FLRA, arbitrators, OSC, and the FMCS. Many of them are certified mediators.

​

Do you work with supervisors or executives?

Yes. Our consultants are also former senior federal managers and labor relations executives. We regularly advised supervisors, managers, and members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) concerning agency investigations and disciplinary or adverse actions.

 

Will my union pay your fees?

In some cases, yes. Unions occasionally contact us on a member's behalf or retain us for second opinions.

While no union is legally obligated to pay for outside consulting services, local unions may choose, and have chosen, to cover or reimburse these fees for matters like removals or major disciplinary actions. Local unions also have the authority to retain a consultant on an ongoing basis unless expressly prohibited by its Constitution and By-Laws (very rare).  

 

Do you provide legal services?

No, consultants do not provide legal services. Instead, we offer specialized consulting and advocacy services in the broad field of administrative federal personnel matters. Attorneys often refer to this as Limited Scope Representation or Indirect Representation.  We also provide transactional administrative litigation support services, including written appeals, discovery requests, motion preparation and responses, evidence preparation, crafting EEO complaint claims and bases, affidavit support, and more. These areas encompass (but are not limited to) discipline, adverse actions, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), retirement, personnel action coding, administrative investigations, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance, Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals, issues analysis, Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) actions, arbitration, document reviews, union representation oversight, and various other matters.

 

Is the money I spend on consulting fees recoverable if I prevail at a hearing?

No. Under federal regulations (including 29 C.F.R. § 1614.501(e)), fee shifting applies strictly to licensed attorneys, paralegals, and law students working under direct attorney supervision. Consultant fees cannot be awarded as part of a fee-recovery order.

 

Do you provide consulting support for civil actions?

No. We do not represent or even advise clients in federal or state civil court proceedings. Civil lawsuits require a licensed attorney. However, attorneys have retained us behind the scenes as subject-matter experts (SME's) and advisors for federal personnel matters at issue in such proceedings.  

 

Is a Consultant Less Expensive than an Attorney?

Yes, significantly- and always. Retaining a specialized federal employment attorney typically requires a large upfront initial retainer—often between $7,500 and $12,000 for an EEOC case or $10,000 to $15,000 for an MSPB appeal (based on most recent contracts we have reviewed as of April 2026).  Consulting services allow you to pay only for the targeted assistance you need, often reducing total strategy costs down to a fraction of traditional legal retainers, while leaving the option to retain an attorney open.

 

At What Stage Should I Hire a Consultant?

As early as possible. Taking proactive steps during the proposal stage yields the highest success rate and usually provides the greatest return of value. Responding effectively to a proposed adverse action or carefully crafting and structuring your EEO complaint at the informal stage is your best opportunity to convince the deciding official to drop or reduce the penalty, establish a critical record, and possibly prevent a costly appeal later or formal complaint later.

 

Can a Consultant Just Assist Me and Not "Take My Whole Case"?

Yes. This is our recommended approach.  Through Indirect Representation, you maintain control of your case while we handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes. We can review or draft your written responses, review or write discovery motions, prepare you for depositions and settlement, provide continuous consultation, and analyze agency evidence.  This "a la carte" model gives you expert leverage while keeping your costs manageable.

 

Is "a La Carte" Consulting Effective?

Yes, in every instance. Many clients find that this is a more budgeted way for self represented clients to proceed while having an expert in their corner to provide further guidance and review beyond initial free consultations. Additionally, some clients often start off with this type of alternative limited-scope representation, and then convert to full attorney representation, depending on the circumstances and evidence that develops. ​  You only hire a consultant as needed. However, hiring us for a number of hours or for a specific period of time (for example, for the entire hearing stage under a flat rate) guarantees the availability of a consultant. There's no obligation to continue with services or pay a $12,000 retainer. However, in situations where we believe the client needs an attorney, we'll make that recommendation.  

 

Many individuals keep us on retainer for limited, budgeted, or "a la carte" representation in lieu of full representation during a particular phase or stage of their matter where they elect to proceed with self representation. This is ideal for clients who need expert guidance on procedure, explanations of orders, assessments of their case, etc. These clients keep us on retainer for issues that come up, as needed. 

​

Under this type of representation, you are responsible for your deadlines and responsibilities. We may provide templates, and  "ghostwrite" your materials depending on your needs.  

​

Do I Designate the Consultant as My Representative?

No, unless specifically directed to do so by your consultant.

 

Are Consultants Employees of InformedFED?

No. Consultants operate as independent advisors affiliated with the InformedFED network. Your service agreement is established directly with the assigned consultant.

 

How do I Pay the Consultant?

InformedFED accepts all forms of payment including all credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Klarna, After Pay, Apple Cash, and PayPal. The invoice will detail the service agreement or arrangement. All invoices are payable in full on the date received or shortly thereafter. Consulting services are not secured until payment is made, and consultant availability may change quickly. You can see our full fee schedule by clicking here.

 

Are Your Services Tax Deductible?

No.