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 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Government
Posted by Maj SDM | June 19, 2013 | Government
i speak the truth
Great attorney. really helped me. won my case against dept of justice. i am a disabled vet who did not have much money. ms. dettling charged me a reasonable hourly rate, she only billed me for necessary work. she did not bill for her paralegal, which surprised me, even though I talked to her too. she...
Posted by Renee | November 03, 2009 | Government
Professional and intelligent
Rosemary took my case in May of this year. When I thought about going up against a Federal Government agency, I was nervous, Rosemary was not! I was so impressed with her professional attitude, positive demeanor and strong knowledge of my rights. She worked had to force the defendants attorneys to...
Posted by anonymous | May 06, 2009 | Government
Great attorney!
I have worked for the federal government for 20 years. My case was a very complicated one that covered a period of four years. Rosemary was a Godsend to me. I was worried that someone who didn't live through it all would never understand it. Rosemary cut right through voluminous information to ge...
Posted by anonymous | May 05, 2008 | Government
Federal employee rights
After contacting several lawyers in my local area, it became evident that I would need a lawyer well-versed in Federal employee's rights under OPM law and regulations. I spoke to two firms in the Washington, D.C. area and was most impressed by Rosemary Dettling's common-sense approach to my legal ne...
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