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Civil Rights for Civil Servants
Hear Shaun Southworth and Lydia Taylor explain federal employee rights, public service, workplace systems, and the people navigating them.
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OPM’s Suitability Rule Could Gut Due Process Rights
OPM has proposed a major rule change that would allow agencies to remove current federal employees under the same "suitability" standards originally designed for applicants. Histor...
Legal Risks of OPM’s May 29 Hiring Memo
Federal hiring may be undergoing a radical shift. The May 29, 2025, Merit Hiring Plan memo imposes new requirements that deviate sharply from the principles of neutral, skills-base...
Where Do RIF Layoffs Stand Today?
If you've received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice recently, you're not alone—and you're not without recourse. A federal judge in California issued a preliminary injunction again...
RIF Layoffs Still Frozen—What the Court's Ruling Means for You
Late last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift the injunction blocking government-wide reductions in force (RIFs) that stem from a recent Executive Order. For ...
The Power of Pause: Why Rest Is a Federal Employee’s Best Asset
Federal employees carry a unique kind of weight. Many of you are navigating intense responsibility while simultaneously facing disciplinary threats, probation stress, or workplace ...
Introducing Lydia Taylor: New Voice, Same Mission
At Southworth PC, we’ve always believed in showing up—early, often, and with purpose—for the federal employees who need us. Today, we’re proud to formally introduce someone who’s h...
OPM’s New Hiring Memo: Loyalty Tests, Legal Risks & Schedule F 2.0
The Hidden Agenda Behind OPM's New Hiring Memo
Federal employees are no strangers to shifting political winds—but a recent 19-page memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OP...
House Bill Targets FERS Annuity Supplement and Adds New Filing Fees
What Survived the House Vote—And Why It Matters
Last week the House advanced the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” stripping out two headline-grabbing ideas—the move from a high-3 to a hi...
DOGE Lawsuit Could Reverse Musk-Led Agency Actions
Why This “Slow-Burn” Case Deserves Your Attention
News of the Reduction-in-Force injunction may dominate headlines, but a quieter lawsuit in Washington, D.C. could have an even br...
Ninth Circuit Stay Decision Looms Large Over RIF Pause
Why One Court Order Holds Thousands of Careers in the Balance - Here are my answers to common questions we have received
Judge Illston’s nationwide injunction has frozen every Red...
96% Pushbacks from District Courts: What It Means for Your Job
May brought a wave of legal defeats for the administration—26 out of 27 challenged actions were struck down in federal district courts. If you're a federal employee worried about y...
Nationwide RIF Injunction: Why the Ninth Circuit Decision Matters
Federal employees across 21 agencies—including the VA, IRS, and Department of Education—are holding their breath this week. A nationwide injunction blocking a massive Reduction in ...
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