Hope is Not a Strategy

by Women Lawyers on Guard Action Network | Mar 19, 2025 | Issues

Robert Hubbell (my go-to positive messenger-in-the-morning) thinks that the tide is turning to regain our democracy, although it will be slow.  That may be, but I think that progress is not a straight line, hope is not a strategy, and we now must all take action, extending ourselves as we are able.

This is WLGAN’s 9^th resource guide for Federal workers and also for people to support democracy. We must act; it’s no longer optional.

Resources for Federal Workers and Contractors:

• Fairfax County Job Fair Sunday, March 23rd: 12:30-2:30 at Mount Olive Baptist Church-660 Old Centerville Rd, Centerville, VA 20121; https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/event-employment-empower-elevate
•  “Beyond Government: Expert Tips for Landing Your Next Legal Role” WBA of DC Webinar: Tuesday, March 25 5:30-6:30 ET. For government attorneys considering a transition to the private sector. Two experienced legal recruiters will discuss the current job market, practical job search strategies for law firm and in-house positions, and key considerations. Register Here: https://wbadc.member365.com/public/event/details/70e6ce8d838d744bc60e36abaa740ad41244552c/1
•   “The Resilient Government Lawyer US and UK: Dilemmas and Strategies” Lawyers Defending American Democracy and University of Amsterdam: Webinar: Friday, March 21 11:30 ET  Register HERE: https://ldad.org/letters-briefs/ldad-webinar-us-eu-lawyer?emci=23f1df30-1004-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&emdi=e0c2f1db-db04-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&ceid=6015022

Volunteer

Public Service Legal Response Center. The PSLRC is a volunteer legal services program run by We the Action, to support individual federal civil service employees under assault by the current administration.  There is an urgent need for lawyers to volunteer.  Training will be provided, as well as supervision by experienced federal employment lawyers. Geographic location is not a factor.  Sign up at:
https://wetheaction.org/projects/2914-public-service-legal-response-center
You will receive access to training videos, materials and future training sessions.

Upcoming Marches/Rallies and Other Actions
These provide moral support for judges, politicians, and advocates and encourage others to join.  You are not alone!

National:

• “Indivisible’s National Mobilization ‘Hands Off’ Day of Action”  April 5; Info here: https://handsoff2025.com/?SQF_SOURCE=indivisible
• “Tesla Takedowns” https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/teslatakedown
• Recess Town Halls  https://democrats.org/peoples-town-halls/  or https://act.indivisible.org/go/809031?t=20&akid=117133%2E4269583%2EZYXSX0

In DC Area

•  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/13VLQ9nUODhenvm1OlyCsf4JW3_6u1mnhYke7HM_ZJjg/htmlview?pli=1#gid=0

We try not to duplicate information we have already posted, unless there’s an update, so please refer to our prior posts for additional resources and opportunities.  (You can find them on our website: https://womenlawyersonguard.org/our-issues-wlgan/)

Please forward this to your networks.  And don’t hesitate to send us additional resources and volunteer opportunities that you hear about ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE THE DC AREA.

Cory Amron, Vice President

Democracy Dies In Darkness

by Women Lawyers on Guard Action Network | Mar 10, 2025 | Issues

Ruth Marcus, an editorial page editor and columnist with the Washington Post for 40 years, resigned today.  She wrote a column disagreeing with Bezos’ decision to constrain the editorial page to “individual liberties” and “free markets” and Bezos refused to run it.  While the Post is making their tag line, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” come true, we all need to bring light to efforts to bolster and strengthen our democracy. Here’s our small part:

This is WLGAN’s 8^th resource guide for Federal workers and for volunteers who would like to support democracy.

Resources for Federal Workers and Contractors:

• Job Fair Inside Senate Offices For federal workers – come prepared to share stories with Senators and the media. Lunch provided to laid off workers.  Tuesday, March 11 10 AM; Hart Senate Building Atrium, 120 Constitution Ave, NE.
• Townhall Meeting: Impact of Federal Worker Layoffs on Government Contractors Tuesday, March 11, 6-8 PM Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.  Jirani Coffeehouse: 9425 West St; Manassas, VA.  https://business.northernvirginiabcc.org/events/Details/nvbcc-townhall-meeting-1342339
• Fairfax County Job Fair Sunday, March 23rd: 12:30-2:30 at Mount Olive Baptist Church-660 Old Centerville Rd, Centerville, VA 20121; https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/event-employment-empower-elevate
• Fairfax County Federal Worker Resource Hub: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/federal-government-resource-hub

Volunteer and Take Action

• “Impact Docket”  from Lawyers for Good Government Action Fund. This is a bi-weekly newsletter designed to provide lawyers and advocates with a consistent, actionable guide to fight for democracy and human rights.  https://www.l4ggaction.org/impact-docket

Upcoming marches/rallies

• In DC Area: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/13VLQ9nUODhenvm1OlyCsf4JW3_6u1mnhYke7HM_ZJjg/htmlview?pli=1#gid=0
• Around the US: “Tesla Takedowns” https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/teslatakedown

We try not to duplicate information we have already posted unless there’s an update. So please refer to our prior posts for additional resources and opportunities.  (You can find them on our website: https://womenlawyersonguard.org/our-issues-wlgan/)

Please forward this to your networks.  And don’t hesitate to send us additional resources and volunteer opportunities that you hear about ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE THE DC AREA.

Cory Amron, Vice President

It Can Get Better

by Women Lawyers on Guard Action Network | Feb 28, 2025 | Issues

It will get worse. That we know. But I follow Robert Hubbell every morning (to maintain sanity) and today he said, “Things will get better.”

But we will have to help it along.  So, here’s WLGAN’s 7^th resource guide for Federal Employees and also Volunteer information for lawyers and non-lawyers.  We try not to duplicate information unless there’s an update, so please refer to our prior posts for additional resources and opportunities.  (You can find them on our website: https://womenlawyersonguard.org/our-issues-wlgan/)

Resources and Guides for Federal Employees and Others

• “Rising to Meet the Challenge” a Resource Fair for Federal Workers and Contractors. (for those in the DC area). Unemployment assistance, mental health support, housing information, food aid, and information on federal worker rights. Rep. Don Beyer in partnership with Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church   Saturday, March 8 12-5 pm at Wakefield High School, 1325 South Dinwiddie St; Arlington, VA
• “The Rights of Federal Employees with Disabilities 2025” – FAQ’s  The Bazelon Center, ACLU and Disability Rights and Education Fund.  https://www.bazelon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-18-Federal-Sector-FAQs-Feb-2025.pdf
• A primer on Reductions in Force (RIF’s) of Federal Employees  from Lawfare https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/a-primer-on-reductions-in-force
• Probationary and Trial Period Mass Terminations (updated Feb 24) from Civil service Strong https://www.civilservicestrong.org/resources/probationary-and-trial-period-mass-terminations

Volunteer, Training, or “Take Action” Opportunities- Lawyer and Non-lawyer

• We the Action has launched a new Public Service Legal Response Center to mobilize lawyers who want to assist federal workers.  Sign up HERE: https://wetheaction.org/projects/2914They are looking for attorneys with the following expertise, but will train others as well:  Federal employment law; General labor and employment law; Government investigations; Criminal defense; Privacy/data security; Defamation/libel/slander
• Help write amicus briefs Contact Rep. Jamie Raskin at: [email protected], or at 2242 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 or 202-225-5341
• Lawyers 4 Good Government:  Letter for lawyers to support the Constitution and the rule of law 2,800 lawyers have signed to date: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/constitutional-crisis?utm_source=Lawyers+for+Good+Government&utm_campaign=09aeeac868-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_02_21_08_43&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-09aeeac868-660708598
• Jessica Craven’s “Chop Wood, Carry Water” Her daily newsletter provides clear pro-democracy scripts and action items for anyone, that are easy to do.  https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/

Please forward this to your networks.  And don’t hesitate to send us additional resources that you hear about.

Cory Amron

Under Siege: Resources for Federal Employees and Volunteers

by WomenLawyersOnGuard | Feb 10, 2025 | Issues

Federal District Court Judge George O’Toole held a hearing this afternoon in Boston on the so called “Fork in the Road” deferred resignation proposal.  He will now consider whether he should bar the administration from carrying out this plan. There have been and will be many other illegal incursions on our government and its employees. We cannot be passive; we must take action.  So, this is our 5th email with additional resources for federal employees and also volunteer actions you can take –whether you are a lawyer or not.

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR NETWORKS.

Resources and Guides for Federal Employees and Others

•  “Answering questions about the federal workforce” Michelle Singletary, Lisa Rein, Emily Davies, Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/06/federal-workers-resignation-offer-questions-answers/
• The Partnership for Public Service: (Free webinars for federal employees about current challenges) https://events.ourpublicservice.org/federal-employee-explainer-webinar-series

• “Dear Civil Servant” (If you Can Keep It -a project of Protect Democracy) https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/dear-civil-servant
• Civil Service Strong (a project of Democracy Forward) https://www.civilservicestrong.org/resources

• “How YOU can protect Democracy” (Quinn Raymond at If You Can Keep It- ): https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-you-can-protect-democracy
• New “Whistleblower” complaint portal for federal workers reporting unlawful activities in their agencies: https://www.democrats.senate.gov/whistleblowers

Volunteer Opportunities- Lawyer and Some Non-lawyer

• Lawyers for Good Government https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/volunteer
• We the Action: https://wetheaction.org/projects?order=most_recent_desc
• The Public Service Alliance, US (non-lawyer volunteering available):  https://thepublicservicealliance.com/partner-with-us/
• Call Your Senators and Congresspeople and express your [fill in the blank noun] at the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the Trump/Musk administration.  Find your rep’s contact info here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials OR use “5 Calls” (they provide scripts for the issue you choose: https://5calls.org/

Tracking Litigation and Anti-Democracy Actions

• Just Security (updated continually) https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
• Coming soon: “The Democracy Index” (The Contrarian):  https://joycevance.substack.com/p/the-democracy-index-and-the-contrarian

Please forward to your networks.  Thank You

Cory Amron, President

Dec 6 is a “Fork in the Road”: More Resources for Federal Employees

by WomenLawyersOnGuard | Feb 5, 2025 | Issues

We have consistently pledged not to crowd your inbox with multiple emails.  But there is an urgent deadline tomorrow, Feb 6, for federal employees. So, this is our 4th email with additional resources for federal employees and volunteer actions you can take if you are not a federal employee.

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR NETWORKS.

Resources cautioning about the “Fork in the Road” Deferred Resignation “Offer”
DEADLINE FEB 6

•  Article by Michelle Singletary in Feb 2 Washington Post Repeated Feb 5. Contains multiple reasons strongly advising government employees Not to exercise the “Fork in the Road” resignation “offer.”
•  Protect Democracy: information to help federal employees separate truth from fiction on the “Fork in the Road” email before the February 6 deadline https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/separating-truth-from-fiction-on
• Civil Service Strong FAQ on Fork in the Road https://www.civilservicestrong.org/resource/opm-fork-in-the-road.

Resources for federal employees in general

• Justice Connection:  https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/resources/
• The Partnership for Public Service: (PPS) New Federal Employee Resource Hub https://ourpublicservice.org/supporting-federal-employees-through-change/
•  PPS: Free webinars for federal employees on current challenges https://events.ourpublicservice.org/federal-employee-explainer-webinar-series

Assistance specifically for DOJ/FBI employees

•  Justice Connection: Defending and advising DOJ/FBI employees: https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/.

Volunteer and “Take Action” Opportunities

• Lawyers for Good Government.  They are set up to use volunteers. They can’t guarantee they have a project right now, but sign up HERE: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/volunteer
• They also have ongoing “take action” initiatives HERE: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/take-action
• We The Action: Lawyers volunteer with leading nonprofits: https://wetheaction.org/
•  Lawyers Defending American Democracy (LDAD) Encouraging lawyers to support the guardrails of democracy including the rule of law. See their engagement project HERE and bring this initiative to your bar association.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR NETWORKS
And please send us other resources and volunteer opportunities that come to your attention.

Thank You

Cory Amron, President