Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C.

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Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. Woman owned since 1975. Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. provides legal services in Washington, D.C.

Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch is a Washington, DC based law firm specializing in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, security clearance, whistleblower, investigation, and disciplinary matters. and across the United States, focusing on civil rights, labor and employment, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, security clearances, and discrimination law, representing clients in the public and private sectors.

KCNF's Elaine Fitch and Elisabeth Baker-Pham joined leaders from law firms across the U.S. and Canada at the Managing Pa...
10/09/2026

KCNF's Elaine Fitch and Elisabeth Baker-Pham joined leaders from law firms across the U.S. and Canada at the Managing Partner Forum’s 2026 Fall Symposium: Empowering Women in Law Firm Leadership in Chicago this week.

Behind the two-day program is a faculty of law firm leaders who help shape the agenda in advance, so the conversations reflect the real challenges facing firms today. This year’s sessions covered everything from succession planning and talent retention to integrating AI into the practice of law.

Elaine was proud to serve on this year’s faculty alongside so many accomplished colleagues, and grateful to the Managing Partner Forum for building a community where leaders can learn from one another.

And of course, there was still time to enjoy Chicago’s nightlife!

We're pleased to welcome Brendan Stautberg to KCNF as an associate!Brendan represents federal and private sector employe...
10/08/2026

We're pleased to welcome Brendan Stautberg to KCNF as an associate!

Brendan represents federal and private sector employees in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, disciplinary appeals, whistleblower cases, and security clearance matters. He brings experience representing federal employees before the EEOC, MSPB, OSC, DCSA, and OPM.

Brendan earned his J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. Fun fact: he's a triplet!

Learn more about Brendan here: https://kcnfdc.com/attorneys/brendan-c-stautberg/

Starting October 5, the Merit Systems Protection Board will change how it reviews discipline against federal employees.F...
10/05/2026

Starting October 5, the Merit Systems Protection Board will change how it reviews discipline against federal employees.

For decades, judges reviewing removals and other disciplinary actions against federal employees have assessed penalties using a set of 12 factors. A new rule ends the requirement that those factors be addressed in every case. Instead, judges will decide whether a penalty is reasonable in light of the totality of the circumstances.

KCNF’s Aaron Herreras Szot spoke with Law.com about what this could mean for federal employees. Aaron noted that the factors can still be raised where they are relevant, but expressed concern about how the change will work in practice, including the potential for inconsistent penalties and due process issues.

"There's certainly an argument to be made that this is going to make it easier for agencies to remove employees," she said. "But it doesn't necessarily strip the analysis completely because we still have a totality of the circumstances."

Read more about the rule and Aaron's comments: https://kcnfdc.com/news/herreras-szot-discusses-new-mspb-rule-changing-how-federal-employee-discipline-is-reviewed/

The EEOC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would significantly revise how federal employees and applicants bring discrimin...
09/24/2026

The EEOC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would significantly revise how federal employees and applicants bring discrimination and retaliation claims, including eliminating mandatory pre-complaint EEO counseling and replacing the automatic right to a hearing with a discretionary referral process.

Now is the time to review the proposal and submit your comments before Monday, September 28.

Read the proposed rule here:https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/%28OLC_to_Exec_Sec_8.26.26_FR%29_NPRM_29_CFR_part_1614_508.pdf

Comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/EEOC-2026-0067-0002

In a recent episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, KCNF’s Elisabeth Baker-Pham and Lindy Kyze...
09/21/2026

In a recent episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, KCNF’s Elisabeth Baker-Pham and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs break down why worldwide socio-political situations and conflicts abroad, from Ukraine and the Middle East to rising tensions with China, can put a previously cleared foreign contact back under scrutiny, even when nothing about a clearance holder’s relationship or conduct has actually changed.

When faced with a statement of reasons or interrogatory about foreign contacts, Lisa recommends that clearance holders maintain transparency and take any inquiry seriously. She explains, “It's not a cause for panic, but it is a cause for diligence.”

Listen to the episode: https://kcnfdc.com/blog/when-global-conflict-reopens-questions-about-your-foreign-contacts/

Follow the show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mhm1UsZWKs7AkGMR926pH

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/security-clearance-insecurity/id1781744194

KCNF and co-counsel Tycko & Zavareei LLP represented a former Honeywell employee who helped secure a $2 million+ False C...
09/15/2026

KCNF and co-counsel Tycko & Zavareei LLP represented a former Honeywell employee who helped secure a $2 million+ False Claims Act settlement after blowing the whistle on Honeywell Aerospace's failure to meet cybersecurity requirements in a Department of Defense contract.

This case is a reminder of the important role employees play in reporting violations and keeping the public safe.

Read more about the settlement: https://kcnfdc.com/news/whistleblower-suit-leads-to-false-claims-act-settlement-with-honeywell/

The EEOC has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would substantially revise the regulations governing how fed...
09/08/2026

The EEOC has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would substantially revise the regulations governing how federal employees and applicants bring discrimination and retaliation claims.

Among the most significant changes: eliminating mandatory pre-complaint EEO counseling, replacing the current automatic right to a hearing before an administrative judge with a discretionary EEOC referral process available only on appeal, and ending administrative class complaint adjudication. The rule also implements new reporting and transparency requirements.

The public comment period is open now through September 28, 2026, a narrow window given the scope of what's being proposed.

We encourage federal employees, agency EEO practitioners, and anyone working in this space to read the proposal carefully and strongly suggest submitting comments before the deadline. We also suggest everyone file a comment proposing that the comment period be extended by 30 days. You can leave more than one comment.

Comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EEOC_FRDOC_0001-0365

Read the proposed rule here:https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/%28OLC_to_Exec_Sec_8.26.26_FR%29_NPRM_29_CFR_part_1614_508.pdf

We're pleased to welcome Nelly Sambra to KCNF as our new Accounts and Administrative Specialist. Our team is excited to ...
09/02/2026

We're pleased to welcome Nelly Sambra to KCNF as our new Accounts and Administrative Specialist. Our team is excited to have her on board and looks forward to working with her.

Welcome, Nelly!

Being reported to the government by an ex, a coworker, or an acquaintance can feel like a clearance holder's worst night...
09/01/2026

Being reported to the government by an ex, a coworker, or an acquaintance can feel like a clearance holder's worst nightmare, but thinking critically throughout the process can make all the difference. In the latest episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, KCNF’s Elisabeth Baker-Pham and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs discuss what happens when a clearance holder is reported out of spite — from the most common allegations to the steps you should take if it happens to you.

Lisa's advice: "You have due process rights before any adverse action is taken on your clearance. But also take it seriously. Taking it seriously can help resolve the issue as soon as possible."

Listen to the episode: https://kcnfdc.com/blog/someones-trying-to-sink-your-clearance-now-what/

Follow the show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mhm1UsZWKs7AkGMR926pH

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/security-clearance-insecurity/id1781744194

Since early 2025, innumerable career federal employees have been fired under a single justification. Officials call it "...
08/31/2026

Since early 2025, innumerable career federal employees have been fired under a single justification. Officials call it "pursuant to Article II," the administration's claim that the president can dismiss civil servants at will, bypassing decades of due process protections under the Civil Service Reform Act.

One case is before the Federal Circuit and potentially headed to the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling that could shape how job protections for career civil servants are applied going forward.

In an article for Federal News Network, George Chuzi and Steve Pershing break down the cases, the courts' conflicting rulings, and what's at stake for federal workers nationwide.

Read the full piece: https://kcnfdc.com/blog/can-the-president-ignore-the-csras-job-protections-for-federal-employees/

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