Updated July 2, 2025
On July 2, 2025, KCNF and co-counsel Crowley So, LLP filed an appeal and request for class adjudication before the Merit Systems Protection Board on behalf of all career and career candidate employees with a Reduction in Force date of July 1.
If the MSPB agrees to adjudicate the case as a class action, members will be notified. Any member who does not wish to be bound by the MSPB’s decision can opt out of the class.
If the MSPB does not agree to adjudicate the case as a class, members will have 35 days to file individual cases.
We will update members as the case progresses.
Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. (KCNF) is proud to serve as co-counsel alongside Crowley So, LLP, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), and Democracy Forward in defense of Foreign Service Officers affected by USAID’s recently announced Reduction in Force (RIF).
USAID Foreign Service Officers play a vital role in advancing U.S. global development goals, delivering humanitarian aid, and promoting stability worldwide. The sweeping actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to dismantle the Agency and eliminate its workforce not only jeopardize these critical missions but also seriously impact affected employees.
For 50 years, KCNF attorneys have represented clients in the U.S. and around the world in the most sensitive and complex employment law and security clearance matters. From individual claims to high-profile class actions, KCNF’s attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of employees in the workplace and have dedicated their careers to doing so.
These RIF actions violate both federal law and USAID’s own RIF procedures. Our legal team is preparing an appeal to file with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and intends to seek class action status on behalf of all impacted USAID Foreign Service Officers.
This legal challenge is supported by AFSA and Democracy Forward, which are funding the effort to ensure that affected employees will not be responsible for any legal costs associated with the class appeal.
Data Collection If you are a USAID Foreign Service Officer who has received a RIF notice, we encourage you to complete our data collection form. This information will help us identify potential class members and assess whether violations of law or agency policy have occurred.
More Information To learn more about the class action, including the appeal process, filing timelines, and frequently asked questions, please visit our FAQ page.