Hoyer Law Group proudly announces that attorney Neil J. Ognibene has secured over $600,000 in settlements for federal government employees within the last 10 months. As head of the firm’s federal employment practice, Neil specializes in discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower retaliation matters brought on behalf of federal employees.
Neil has a long track record of helping clients obtain compensation for the wrongs suffered while working for the federal government. The recent settlements highlight his skill of effectively resolving federal employment disputes.
Recent Settlements with the Department of Veterans Affairs
Neil secured two Veterans Affairs settlements in February 2023. The first case involved a disparate treatment discrimination claim based on disability filed against the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). This case occurred before an Administrative Judge of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Neil helped the client reach a $200,000 settlement with the agency. The second case involved the denial of a reasonable accommodation request. This case also occurred before an EEOC Administrative Judge and resulted in a settlement of $30,000. In May 2022, Neil resolved another reasonable accommodation case filed against the DVA on appeal to the EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations, resulting in a $55,000 settlement.
Recent Settlements with the Department of Defense
Neil achieved a notable settlement in November 2022 against the Department of Defense (DoD) and Naval Special Warfare Command concerning unjustified removal and reprisal claims. Following an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, the case settled for $275,000.
This settlement followed on the heels of another DoD/Department of the Navy settlement in April 2022. In this case, the EEOC conducted a hearing, and Neil obtained a partial ruling in favor of his client. This ruling eventually resulted in a settlement agreement, including a monetary award and attorney’s fees totaling $49,000.
Other Federal Employment Settlements
A unique component of federal employment disputes is that some cases aren’t about the money.
In the last year, Neil has settled numerous cases with the United States Postal Service, Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration, Department of Justice, and DoD/Department of the Air Force, to secure non-monetary remedies sought by his clients. In all of his cases, Neil focuses on the client’s goals and what can be done to meet them, which sometimes does not include financial compensation. That said, Neil’s recent settlements illustrate that, with the assistance of an experienced federal employment attorney, federal employees can recover substantial sums in addition to nonmonetary remedies.
Hoyer Law Group congratulates Neil on his outstanding work and dedication to justice for his clients. We look forward to continuing to represent federal employees seeking just compensation and nonmonetary remedies for the wrongs they have suffered.
