Media Coverage
A proposed rule meant to simplify compliance under the Fair Labor Standards, Family and Medical Leave, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection acts has instead stirred debate among employment lawyers. Virginia Lawyers Weekly spoke with TELG principal Nicholas Woodfield to get his thoughts on the U.S. Department of Labor's pared down test to determine joint employer status — which Mr. Woodfield cautions may cause more uncertainty.
The U.S. Office of Personal Management announced a proposed non-disclosure agreement for all federal employees, intending to halt future leaks of sensitive information. News outlets reported concerns that this is an attempt to silence federal employees. The Associated Press, ABC7 News, and other publications spoke with TELG principal Michael L. Vogelsang, Jr., who raised questions regarding the function and legality of the proposed NDA.
An Oklahoma manufacturer recently settled allegations that it violated anti-discrimination laws when it enforced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its employees — with no religious or medical exemptions. The Defender spoke with TELG principal Nicholas Woodfield about what the case might mean for other disputes against workplace vaccine mandates.
May 13, 2026
On May 7, the D.C. Bar hosted its inaugural Employment Law Conference. The conference, which drew more than 150 attendees, featured panels on emerging trends in employment law, federal challenges to DEI programs, and more. TELG principal R. Scott Oswald helped organize the conference.
October 24, 2025
The D.C. Bar will be hosting its annual three-hour CLE program, "Changing Currents in Employment Law," on October 28. The D.C. Bar and TELG's R. Scott Oswald, who will reprise his role as the event's moderator, discussed the purpose of "Changing Currents" and what attendees can expect from each panel.
In July, a video went viral exposing a self-described fascist who quoted a Nazi Party member. He was fired after his employer saw the video. Straight Arrow News sought to answer the question of whether someone can be legally fired for their political beliefs. The publication spoke with TELG principal Nick Woodfield, who said, depending on actions, political beliefs can start falling into the gray area of hate speech and backlash on an employer's reputation — making a termination more justifiable.
June 16, 2025
Beginning in early 2025, the Trump administration issued a series of executive orders targeting law firms across the country — an attack that was seen as violating constitutional protections. Whistleblower Network News reported on the response from hundreds of law firms coming together to file amicus briefs in support of the main targets. The Employment Law Group is one of the firms that participated.
May 27, 2025
Port City Daily reported on TELG client Kathy Adams' lawsuit against her former employer, Duke Energy, and how it relates to recent federal cuts to nuclear energy regulations. Ms. Adams alleged that Duke Energy retaliated against her after she raised safety concerns regarding the company's North Carolina nuclear facilities. Ms. Adams, represented by TELG principal Adam Carter, was a quality assurance supervisor for the company.
On May 19, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo establishing the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which will use the False Claims Act to "aggressively pursue" civil rights-related claims. Law360 spoke with TELG's Scott Oswald and other attorneys on the impact the initiative may have on companies with DEI policies — including universities, which are explicitly listed as potential targets — and on other stronger FCA claims that may get shunted to the side as the Department of Justice is spread thinner.
In March 2025, a journalist revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had included them in a group chat discussing impending airstrikes in Yemen. Now, The Washington Post spoke with TELG principal R. Scott Oswald and other experts on how similar conduct in other cases would've impacted a person's security clearance. Mr. Oswald told the Post that others were denied or lost security clearance for conduct that was "far less serious."
The Denver Post and Law360 reported on TELG client Morgan Medlock's recent lawsuit against Colorado Governor Jared Polis and his former chief of staff. Dr. Medlock alleged that she was discriminated against based on her race while she worked as the commissioner for Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration. Dr. Medlock is represented by TELG principal R. Scott Oswald.
April 04, 2025
Law360, the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, and other publications reported on a recent settlement resolving allegations that tech company Intelligent Waves, LLC., knowingly sold unauthorized equipment to the Air Force, charged for services or products that weren’t delivered, and lied in order to gain a contract in the first place. Two former employees of Intelligent Waves blew the whistle on the potential fraud. Both were represented by TELG's Lydia Pappas and Janel Quinn.
Pappas
TELG principal Scott Oswald spoke with Unilad, following a ruling in favor of a former federal government employee whom a judge ruled was unlawfully fired via email. Mr. Oswald commented on the issues with the emails recently being sent out to federal employees as a part of the Trump administration's goal to streamline the U.S. government.
February 27, 2025
TELG principal Scott Oswald spoke with Unilad, pointing out various issues with the emails the Department of Government Efficiency sent out to federal employees asking them to list what they did at work. The emails are not only causing confusion regarding whether employees should comply but are also raising questions of confidentiality.
February 26, 2025
In light of the Trump administration's attempt to downsize the government, employment lawyers are swamped with messages from concerned federal employees. TELG's Michael Vogelsang, and other attorneys, spoke with Law.com about ongoing strategies to help those employees. Mr. Vogelsang said he's keeping an eye on a request from the Office of Special Counsel to stay probationary terminations that may prove to be key.
February 24, 2025
Chaos has ensued following the Trump administration's firing of thousands of federal employees. Multiple lawsuits and complaints have been filed to challenge the terminations. Bloomberg Law spoke with TELG principal Michael Vogelsang about the options available for the recently fired federal employees.
February 06, 2025
TELG principal Scott Oswald spoke with WUSA9 about the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer for federal employees, the ongoing debate of its legality, and what options federal employees have. Mr. Oswald's advice took into consideration probationary employees, employees who have already accepted the then paused offer, and others.
February 05, 2025
TELG principal Scott Oswald spoke with 1A, an NPR-affiliated radio program. Mr. Oswald, the show's host, and a senior VP from Partnership for Public Service discussed the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer for federal employees. They spoke about the offer's legality, speculated on its potential impact on the workforce and economy, and fielded questions from callers seeking advice.
Cardiovascular Business, Fox23 News, and other publications reported on a recent settlement resolving allegations that an Oklahoma cardiology clinic manipulated medical documents to charge government insurance programs for services that weren't provided or to charge higher rates than services called for. Brittney Summers, a former nurse practitioner at Cardiovascular Specialists, blew the whistle on the potential fraud. Ms. Summers was represented by TELG principal Janel Quinn.
TELG principal Michael Vogelsang spoke with CNBC to offer advice for federal employees on the fence about what to do with the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer. Mr. Vogelsang advised federal employees to take their time and suggested factors to consider before making a decision.
