Human Resources Division (HRD) - Hearings & Appeals Branch

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The Hearings & Appeals Branch's primary mission is to litigate and defend the MRP Agencies before administrative judges in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) cases.  Services provided by the Hearings & Appeals Branch include:  

1. Litigating EEO and MSPB cases before administrative judges for AMS, APHIS and GIPSA.  This includes all pre-hearing preparation, appearances at the hearing and when appropriate negotiating settlements and drafting settlement agreements.

1. Providing advice and guidance to the APHIS Employee Relations Branch and the AMS/GIPSA Employee Relations Branch on employment law, including reviewing appealable actions and settlement agreements.

1. Providing advice and guidance to mission area program and supervisory officials in the execution of the EEOC and MSPB litigation functions.  This includes providing advice and recommendations to supervisors and managers with respect to day-to-day problems and concerns as well as providing structured training on EEO and MSPB law and practice.

• Serving as liaison with the mission area Civil Rights communities, Departmental administration (including the Office of the General Counsel), the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Justice on EEOC and MSPB litigation matters.