Brown, it was reorganize in 2015 as Brown & Goodkin when Daniel M. Goodkin and Steven E. Brown became partners. In January 2019, Daniel M. Goodkin became the new owner, however, both partners continue to work hand-in-hand, as they have the past 16 years. Brown & Goodkin is located in Westlake Village, California. The firm is experienced in representing Federal (U. civilian employees and Postal Ser
vice employees in various types of employment disputes and claims. The workers’ compensation claims of federal and Postal employees are governed by the same laws and regulations regardless of where in the United States or overseas they may live – the law is the same nationwide and no personal appearances are required except in rare situations. These claims are decided by U. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), and appeals are decided by the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) in Washington. The disability retirement claims of federal and Postal employees are decided by the U. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with appellate rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). We have found over the years that many deserving disability retirement claims are denied due to error by OPM and/or due to improper documentation, which we can usually remedy either informally or at the hearing stage. The wrongful termination claims of federal (and some Postal) employees are heard at MSPB, though some employees have no MSPB appeal rights and they are limited to union grievance procedures. We have also been successful in getting fired employees re-hired, or in arranging for other favorable resolutions of such cases. The employment discrimination (EEO) claims of federal and Postal employees are processed at the initial levels by their employing agencies and then at the U. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) and in the federal courts. Our firm represents federal and Postal employees in all these types of matters, as well as additional area such as other retirement claims, whistleblower appeals, etc. Our attorneys are active members in nationwide attorney organizations in the areas of employment law and workers compensation law.
