Research Notes

Steven E. Brown

Steven E. Brown is the founding partner of Brown & Goodkin, a two-attorney firm in Westlake Village, CA which concentrates on federal employee rights. He received his BA from Columbia University and his JD from the University of Southern California, and is a member of the California State Bar. A former postal worker and native of the Washington D.C. area, Mr. Brown has represented and counseled thousands of federal employees. Current practice areas include workers’ compensation (FECA); disability retirement (CSRS and FERS); employment disputes such as adverse actions (MSPB); employment discrimination (EEOC); and whistleblower protection (WPA and WPEA). Mr. Brown publishes a monthly e-newsletter on federal employee issues and has authored many articles, a number of which are available on the firm’s website, www.federal-law.com. Mr. Brown is active in several nationwide attorney groups in the area of federal employee rights and benefits, including WILG (Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group – founding chair of FECA Section) and NELA (National Employment Lawyers Association).

Legal background/bar admissions:

• 2001 U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
• 2000, U. S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
• 2000, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
• 1999, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
• 1986 U.S. Supreme Court
• 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• 1977, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• Admitted to bar, 1973, California

Education:

University of Southern California (J.D., 1972)
Columbia University (A.B., 1968)

Member:

• The State Bar of California
• Ventura County and American Bar Associations
• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• National Employment Lawyers Association (Federal Employee Rights Practice Group)
• California Employment Lawyers Association
• Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group (Co-Chair, FECA Section)

Special Agencies:

• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board
• U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Examples of successful cases:

• Mark Griffin v. Dept. of Navy, 2004WL3087077 (PERSONNET) (11/26/04)
• Carolyn Martinez v. OPM, 2004LW1699514 (PERSONNET) (11/10/04)
• Carolyn Martinez v. OPM, 2004LW2777936 (PERSONNET) (06/30/04)
• Mark Bumblis v. Dept. of Navy, 2004WL1699502 (PERSONNET) (06/10/04)
• Mike Noble and U. S. Postal Service, PSBCA No. 5046 (08/26/04)
• Mark Bumblis v. Dept. of Navy, 2003WL22778928 (PERSONNET) (11/12/03)
• Kim R. Kiser, ECAB Docket #00-2442, Issued 03/5/02
• Dennis Kretch, ECAB Docket #1997-1621, Issued 06/16/99
• Mark Brandlin, ECAB Docket #94-325, Issued 11/24/95
• William E. Crum, ECAB Docket #94-1024, Issued 11/20/95
• Udella Billups, 41 ECAB 260 (1989)
• Robert H. Evans, 39 ECAB 583 (1988)
• Theodas Reed, 38 ECAB 488 (1987)
• Armin Foster, 37 ECAB 702 (1986)
• Crittenden v. OPM, 26 MSPR 152 (1985)
• Beth P. Chaput, 37 ECAB 158 (1985)
• Joyce E. Mister, 34 ECAB 1127 (1983)
• Strickland v. Becks (1979) 95 CA3d Supp.18, 157 CR 656

Practice Areas:

• Federal Workers’ Compensation (FECA)
• Disability Retirement (CSRS/FERS)
• Federal Employment (MSPB, Federal Courts)
• Employment Discrimination (EEOC, Federal Courts)