Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
46 Client Reviews
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Rosemary Dettling
also known as Federal Employee Legal Services Center (FELSC)
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About Rosemary
Biography
Rosemary Dettling is the founder of the Federal Employee Legal Services Center (FELSC) and a seasoned employment law attorney with decades of experience in federal sector employment matters. She earned her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School in 1991 and began her legal career as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served from 1991 to 2000. During her tenure at the Department of Justice, Ms. Dettling developed a deep and comprehensive understanding of employment discrimination laws, federal sector employment precedent, and government personnel procedures.
After leaving the Department of Justice, Ms. Dettling continued her public service as an Employment Attorney with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Across her government career and her work at FELSC, she has litigated hundreds of cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board, representing both federal employees and federal agencies.
Ms. Dettling leads FELSC with the support of a team of attorneys located throughout the United States. All FELSC attorneys concentrate their practice on federal sector employment law and federal employment procedures, with experience handling matters arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.
Ms. Dettling’s work has earned national recognition. In November 2024, she received a “top-50 verdict” following a successful jury trial in California. In August 2025, Washingtonian Magazine recognized her as a top employment lawyer. Ms. Dettling is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the New York Bar.
Top 50 Labor & Employment Verdicts in California in 2024
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Employment and Labor
70%
35 years
Civil Rights
10%
35 years
Discrimination
10%
35 years
Sexual Harassment
10%
35 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2016 2012 2010
Licenses
Licensed in New York for 4 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2022
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 32 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 34 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Federal Employee Legal Services Center (FELSC)
(855) 610-5853
Mobile
(202) 379-9772
Fax
1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20006
felsc.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Rosemary online.
Rosemary Dettling's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 11 - 15 of 23 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by John | March 28, 2012 | Employment & Labor
Best Lawyer in DC for protecting your rights as a government employee
³I have engaged Ms. Dettling on several job-related appeals to the MSPB and the EEOC. She is an outstanding lawyer and she will stick with you through "thick and thin" to win your case(s). I have never witnessed another lawyer with her inherent abilities to prepare credible, well-written, and log...
Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2011 | Employment & Labor
Outstanding Attorney
Ms. Dettling has represented me during an MSPB appeal and did outstanding work. She works beyond normal working hours in case work and preparation for hearing. She is very objective and goal oriented in her work. She has vast experience in employment and Federal employment areas. Ms. Dettling is toug...
Posted by Rose | September 23, 2010 | Civil Rights
A True Champion
Ms. Dettling has represented me in an EEO case for the last four years. The record in my case contains almost 3,000 pages. Ms. Dettling was very skilled at sorting through this huge volume of documents and testimony and highlighting those issues that blatantly violated my rights. Because of her sk...
Posted by Pat | February 18, 2010 | Discrimination
A Great Job
Rosemary came highly recommended and she has done an excellent job. She thinks quickly in tense situations and is very knowledgeable concerning discrimination laws. She is an attorney you can talk to - very personable. My case is still being decided but I am very pleased with her representation and...
Posted by Jim | November 19, 2009 | Employment & Labor
Great Attorney!
Within the first few minutes of our telephone conversation, I knew that Ms. Dettling understood what was happening to me. Ms. Dettling was able to weed out irrelevant issues and bring the focus of EEO misconduct forward, to the Administrative Judge. My case was complex at times, and I felt somewhat...
Rosemary Dettling's Lawyer Endorsements
"Rosemary is a highly professional and experienced attorney. She is committed to her clients and to resolving their issues expeditiously and efficiciently. It is a pleasure working with her."
Sara Bloom
Employment and labor lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Top Employment Lawyer, Washingtonian Magazine
2025
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2025
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2024
Top 50 Labor & Employment Verdicts in California in 2024, TopVerdict
2023
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2022
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2021
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2020
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2019
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2018
America's Most Honored Lawyer, American Registry
2016
Client's Choice, Avvo
2012
Client's Choice, Avvo
2010
Client's Choice, Avvo
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Owner/Attorney, Federal Employee Legal Services Center (www.felsc.com)
2002 - 2006
Attorney, U.S. Department of Transportation
2000 - 2001
Attorney, U.S. Department of Commerce
1991 - 2000
Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Associations
2022 - Present
New York BarMember
2021 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals - DC CircuitMember
2007 - Present
Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association (“MWELA”)Member
2007 - Present
U.S. District Court for the District of ColumbiaMember
1994 - Present
District of Columbia BarMember
1994 - Present
Superior Court of the District of ColumbiaMember
Pro Hac Vice Admission (Alaska, Maryland, and California)
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
DAMWYK v. KENDALL, III (AIR FORCE), Case No. 2:22-cv-04424-HDV-SK
Successful
GUESS v. EPA
Successful
BARTRON v. DOD
Successful
DAVIS v. FAA
Successful
FIVECOAT V. US AIR FORCE
Successful
JACKSON v. US AIR FORCE
Successful
CLIFFORD v. USPS
Successful
LAMPKINS V. USPS
Successful
AMES v. DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: VA failed to accommodate disabled employee.
Successful
JONES v. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Judge orders FBI to reverse termination and reinstate client.
Successful
Damwyk v. Kendall III
More case summaries:
Successful
Additional case summaries:
Successful
SIMON v. U.S. POSTAL: Postal Service found guilty of race discrimination.
Successful
KELLY v. U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Postal Service discriminated against client based on perceived disability.
Successful
BATSON-RILEY v. DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS: VA culpable for retaliating against employee.
Successful
ARTHUR v. COMMERCE: Attorney fees awarded in the middle of the hearing, as a sanction against the Commerce.
BENSON V. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: Granted request to void settlement agreement.
Successful
LANE-PORTER v. U.S. ARMY: Client awarded $80,000 plus four years backpay.
Successful
WELLARD v. DOJ: $70,000 awarded in compensatory damages; DOJ liable for disability discrimination and reprisal.
Successful
RODROCK v. U.S. ARMY: Awarded $110,000, reinstatement to her job, and years of backpay.
Successful
PIERRE v. U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: $35,000 awarded in compensatory damages; disability discrimination and retaliation.
Successful
CARR v. NASA: $100,000 awarded for disability discrimination.
Successful
RIOS v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE: Dep’t. of Commerce guilty of whistleblower retaliation.
Successful
GROGANS v. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: Client awarded $125,000.00 in compensatory damages and backpay.
Successful
FLORY v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: VA found liable in a mixed-motive termination case.
Successful
WHITFILED v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: VA liable for same sex harassment.
Successful
GARRATY v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Client awarded $35,000.00 in compensatory damages
Successful
CAROS v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Judge ordered DHS to reverse termination; client wins three years backpay.
Successful
DOHERTY v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Client awarded $110,000 in Compensatory Damages.
Successful
THORNSBERRY v. U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Postal Service found guilty of sex discrimination.
Successful
SCOGGINS v. U.S. ARMY: Judge ordered Army to reverse termination; client wins three years backpay.
Successful
LEWIS v. U.S. ARMY: Army found guilty of retaliatory harassment.
Successful
COMPLAINANT v. U.S. ARMY: Army ordered to reverse termination; client wins $65,000 and five years backpay.
Successful
MOORE v. AIR FORCE: Air Force guilty of sexual harassment, retaliatory harassment, and constructive discharge.
Successful
Education
1998
American University
MA - Master of Arts in Literature
1991
Notre Dame Law School
JD -Juris Doctor
1987
University of San Diego
BA - Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
Publications
2026
Federal Employee Legal Services Center
Case Results
2026
Federal Employee Legal Services Center
Testimonials
2025
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers