Federal Employment Lawyer for Texas
Protecting Federal Careers Across the Lone Star State
Serious problems at a federal job can put your entire future at risk. If you work for a federal agency in Texas, including in the San Antonio area, you are subject to a complex set of federal rules and forums that are very different from ordinary state employment law.
At The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we focus our practice on those federal systems. From our Washington, D.C. office, we represent federal employees across the United States and abroad in matters involving discipline, discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, security clearance issues, and other prohibited personnel practices.
Our firm is led by John P. Mahoney, a former federal Administrative Judge who has spent his career inside the federal employment world. Our law firm has received an AV Preeminent rating for legal ability and ethics, and our attorneys include former federal employees and agency executives. We bring that experience to the side of federal employees working in Texas who need strategic guidance.
Call us at (202) 350-3881 or reach out online to discuss your case. With over 30 years of experience, we can identify the flaws in the agency's proposal and build a winning strategy.
Federal Employment Issues We Handle in Texas
Federal employees in Texas face the same legal frameworks as colleagues across the country, but the context can feel different inside large commands, field offices, and installations. We represent civilian employees, supervisors, and managers at agencies and facilities across the state, including those based in San Antonio, in a wide range of federal workplace matters.
We commonly advise Texas-based federal employees in matters such as:
- Discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment claims within federal agencies, including issues based on race, sex, age, disability, or prior EEO activity
- EEO processes, such as informal complaints, formal filings, investigations, and hearings
- Whistleblower retaliation and other prohibited personnel practices
- Security clearance concerns, responses, and appeals for civilian personnel
- Proposed suspensions, demotions, and removals from federal service
- Performance improvement plans and unacceptable performance actions
- Investigations by agency internal affairs, inspectors general, or other oversight offices
In each of these areas, our focus is on helping you understand your options within the federal system and developing a strategy that fits your career goals, your tolerance for risk, and the facts of your case.
Navigating the Federal Power Centers of Texas
Texas is not just a state; it is a strategic hub for the federal government. For a Texas federal employment attorney, understanding the specific mission and internal culture of local installations is paramount to building a successful defense. Our firm represents employees across all major Texas federal entities, including:
San Antonio: "Military City, USA"
San Antonio is the epicenter of Texas federal activity. We provide defense for personnel at:
- Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA): Incorporating Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph AFB.
- Lackland Air Force Base: A primary site for basic training and intelligence, where we frequently handle cases involving trainee-related disciplinary actions and specialized civilian oversight.
- Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC): Where medical professionals face unique credentialing and peer-review challenges.
Houston and the Gulf Coast
- NASA Johnson Space Center: Protecting the careers of engineers, scientists, and administrative staff who drive American space exploration.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Including the massive presence of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along the border and in maritime hubs.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Beyond
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Representing correctional officers and staff at facilities like FMC Fort Worth and FCI Seagoville.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Supporting the large civilian workforce at the Austin and Dallas processing centers.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Defending healthcare workers at the Central Texas and Houston VA Medical Centers against Title 38 and Title 5 actions.
Why Federal Employees in Texas Choose Us
Our attorneys have served inside government as federal employees, supervisors, and agency leaders. That background helps us understand how agencies build cases, how deciding officials think, and how internal politics can affect employment actions. We use that insight to help our clients prepare responses, present evidence, and navigate internal procedures more effectively.
As an AV Preeminent Top Rated Law Firm, our work has been recognized for strong legal analysis and high ethical standards. Our attorneys have obtained significant resolutions for federal employees in high-stakes cases, including multi-million dollar outcomes and career-saving settlements. Every matter is different, and we always assess the specific facts and risks in your situation, but experience with complex disputes can be valuable when your job or clearance is threatened.
We are candid about where we appear in court. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, before the DC Circuit, the Federal Circuit, the Fourth Circuit, U.S. District Courts in DC and Maryland, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Our Practice Areas
- Administrative Law Judge Hearings
- Agency or Congressional Conduct Investigations
- Conduct Investigation
- Disciplinary Actions
- EEO Complaints
- Employment Law
- Federal Disability Retirement Benefits
- Federal Employment Law
- Inspector General Complaints
- MSPB Appeals
- OFO Appeals
- OSC Complaints
- Performance Cases
- Performance Improvement Plans
- Security Clearance Law Appeals
- Sexual Harassment
- Title 38
- Whistleblower Cases
- Workplace Harassment
Budget Realignment and Agency Reshuffling in Texas
The federal workforce in 2026 is currently weathering a period of significant administrative volatility. Across Texas, we have seen an uptick in personnel actions tied to broader "reorganizations" and budget realignments.
Impact on Lackland AFB and Local Installations
Recent reshuffling efforts have hit local hubs like Lackland Air Force Base and the Red River Army Depot particularly hard. These "modernization" initiatives often result in Reductions in Force (RIF) or the involuntary reclassification of career positions. We have observed instances where agencies use these budget-driven reshuffles as a pretext to bypass traditional due process or to target whistleblowers and senior employees.
Furthermore, the ongoing decentralization of certain federal agencies has led to "directed reassignments" for Texas-based workers. If an agency orders you to relocate to another state or face termination, this is often a "constructive discharge" that must be challenged immediately. As your Texas federal employment attorney, we are prepared to dissect these agency "reshuffles" to determine if they violate your civil service rights.
Federal Changes Affecting Texas Installations
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"It means the world to know my experience is being fought for so powerfully."
Dear Attorney Lolotai,
I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the powerful motion you submitted to amend and reinstate the dismissed claims in my case. Your work was not only thorough and well-argued it is deeply validating.
Reading the motion, I felt like you truly captured the full scope of what I endured. The way you incorporated the patterns of hostility, the layered racial and gender-based discrimination, and the continued retaliation was incredibly strategic and affirming. Your attention to detail, legal framing, and use of precedent made it clear that you believe in the strength of my case and are committed to advocating for the truth to be seen.
Thank you for standing with me and for giving voice to the reality I’ve been carrying for so long. It means the world to know my experience is being fought for so powerfully.
- Rikyah Noel Brown -
"Human Element/Experienced"
John is clearly a very knowledgeable and highly experienced attorney, but what has meant the most to me during this process is the human approach he has taken. Any process like this can be stressful and difficult but John has tried to make it as painless as possible. Can’t put a price tag on that human element.
- R.
How We Help Texas Federal Employees
Federal employment matters are usually controlled by national rules, not by the state where you work. That is why our Washington, D.C. based practice is able to assist federal employees throughout the country, including those assigned to agencies and installations in Texas. Many hearings, conferences, and negotiations take place through written submissions, telephone conferences, or video platforms, which allows us to work closely with you wherever you are located.
When a federal employee in Texas contacts our firm, we typically begin by reviewing key documents and deadlines. This may include a proposed notice of discipline, a performance improvement plan, a Statement of Reasons in a clearance case, an EEO complaint or decision, or a letter of counseling. Our attorneys look at where your case sits in the process, what timelines apply, and what options still remain open.
If you receive a serious notice from your agency in Texas, consider these immediate steps:
- Read the document carefully and note all stated deadlines.
- Do not respond impulsively in writing or in meetings without considering the implications.
- Gather relevant emails, performance records, and prior appraisals and store them securely.
- Avoid deleting potential evidence or discussing details widely in the workplace.
- Contact a federal employment lawyer to review the notice and help you plan a response.
Acting quickly and carefully can preserve options that may be lost if you wait until after deadlines have passed or after making statements that are difficult to correct later.
Talk With Our Federal Employment Team
When you contact The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC, you speak with a team that understands how federal agencies, adjudicators, and security clearance authorities operate. We draw on our experience, including service by a former federal Administrative Judge and former agency leaders, to help you evaluate your options and pursue a path that fits your goals.
To discuss your federal employment situation confidentially, call (202) 350-3881 or reach out online now.
For decades, we have helped thousands of federal employees like you handle the most complex legal matters, so they can assert their rights, and protect and enhance their federal careers. We are grateful for your public service, and we are dedicated to resolving the employment difficulties you face with the federal government. We offer the effective legal experience you need.
