Employment Services
Facing a wrongful termination or adverse employment action can be overwhelming, confusing, and deeply personal. Many federal employees come to us feeling uncertain about what happened, their rights, and the next steps. Kirsten Crawford plays a critical role in helping clients regain clarity, confidence, and direction.
Kirsten works closely with our attorneys to help clients understand the federal employment process from the inside out. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in federal human capital, labor, and employee relations, she helps clients interpret agency actions, timelines, policies, and documentation—explaining what agencies are required to do, where mistakes may have occurred, and what questions to ask.
Clients benefit from Kirsten’s ability to translate complex federal HR practices into plain language. She reviews records, notices, and employment histories with a careful, experienced eye, helping identify procedural gaps, inconsistencies, or decision-making flaws that may strengthen a client’s case. Just as importantly, she helps clients prepare—emotionally and practically—for what lies ahead, whether that includes documentation review, interviews, or testimony.
Kirsten is known for her calm, steady presence and compassionate approach. She understands how destabilizing these situations can be and ensures clients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. Her goal is not only to provide insight but to help clients feel grounded and informed as they work with their legal team. <
By combining deep institutional knowledge with a human-centered perspective, Kirsten helps our clients move forward with greater confidence—knowing they are supported by professionals who understand both the system and the people it affects.
Federal Employment Case Review & Insight
Kirsten helps clients understand what happened and why by reviewing agency actions through an insider lens.
- Review proposed removals, decision letters, performance actions, and disciplinary records
- Identify procedural missteps, inconsistencies, or departures from policy
- Explain what agencies are required to prove—and where their case may be weak
- Translate the agency’s rationale into plain language that clients can understand
MSPB & Adverse Action & Administrative Grievance Support
While attorneys handle legal strategy, Kirsten supports clients by helping them prepare for the process.
- Explain how agencies typically build and defend cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board or the Administrative Grievance Process
- Help clients understand timelines, expectations, and documentation requirements
- Prepare clients for interviews, declarations, or testimony by clarifying agency perspectives
- Reduce fear of the unknown by demystifying the process
Documentation & Record Analysis
Kirsten brings three decades of experience reviewing and creating agency documentation.
- Analyze performance appraisals, PIPs, emails, and supervisory notes
- Identify gaps, shifting narratives, or unsupported conclusions
- Flag documentation patterns that suggest pretext, poor management practice, or process failure
- Help clients organize and contextualize their employment history
Agency Decision-Making & Risk Insight
Kirsten helps attorneys and clients understand how decisions are made inside agencies.
- Provide insight into management behavior, HR involvement, and internal dynamics
- Identify where agency actions may have been driven by expediency rather than merit
- Explain how leadership, HR, and labor relations interact behind the scenes
- Help attorneys anticipate agency arguments and defenses
Attorney Support & Strategy Augmentation
Kirsten strengthens the firm’s legal work without crossing the realm into legal advice.
- Act as a thought partner for attorneys on federal HR practices
- Help translate HR policy and practice into litigation-relevant insight
- Identify lines of inquiry attorneys may want to pursue
- Enhance case narratives with institutional realism
Benefits/Retirement Review and Support
Kirsten can help clients navigate retirement options and clarify eligibility and entitlements.
- Outline potential retirement options or post career entitlements
- Review or submit retirement packages
- Help explain post-career benefits and entitlements
Career Coaching Services
Kirsten Crawford provides career and leadership coaching that helps federal professionals rebuild confidence, clarify direction, and move forward with strength and purpose in the following focus areas.
Career Transitions
- Support clients navigating career disruption following wrongful termination or adverse action
- Help clients process career impact and regain confidence, clarity, and direction
- Identify transferable skills and strengths within and beyond federal service
- Guide decision-making around returning to federal service, changing agencies, or pursuing new paths
Federal Career Strategy & Positioning
- Clarify career goals aligned with values, strengths, and long-term aspirations
- Provide insight into federal career paths, advancement options, and mobility
- Advise on positioning experience effectively for federal, public-sector, or adjacent roles
- Support clients in understanding how adverse actions may be viewed in future employment contexts
Leadership Identity & Confidence Building
- Help clients rebuild leadership identity following professional setbacks
- Strengthen executive presence, communication, and decision-making confidence
- Support leaders in articulating their leadership philosophy and strengths
- Coach clients through imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or loss of professional confidence
Performance & Leadership Development Coaching
- Help clients reflect on past performance feedback and identify growth opportunities
- Distinguish between legitimate performance issues and flawed management systems
- Support the development of practical leadership skills, including communication, accountability, and influence
- Guide clients in creating actionable leadership development plans
Workplace Dynamics & Relationship Repair
- Help clients understand and navigate complex workplace dynamics
- Coach clients on rebuilding professional relationships and credibility
- Support conflict navigation and difficult conversations
- Provide guidance on managing up, across, and through organizational systems
Resilience & Forward Momentum
- Provide steady, grounded support during periods of uncertainty and stress
- Help clients move from reaction to intention
- Support clients in identifying what they want to carry forward—and what to leave behind
- Encourage sustainable growth, balance, and long-term career resilience
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