J. Madison PLC
Practice AreasWhistleblower
Whistleblower & Retaliation Lawyers
Reporting fraud, safety violations, or contract non-compliance should not end your career. We defend employees under Virginia’s VWPL, the False Claims Act anti-retaliation provision, the federal Defense Contractor whistleblower statute (10 U.S.C. § 2409), and — for federal employees — MSPB Individual Right of Action (IRA) whistleblower appeals.
J. Madison PLC is licensed in Virginia. We handle Virginia employment matters and federal employment claims (including EEOC, MSPB, FCA, and Defense Contractor Whistleblower Protection Act matters) nationwide where permitted. Pure other-state law claims may require local counsel, which you may be able to find through our affiliate network.
Virginia VWPL and federal contractor paths
Virginia Code § 40.1-27.3 protects good-faith reports of suspected law violations. Federal contractors and grantee employees often also have § 2409 and False Claims Act § 3730(h) retaliation theories. We map which statute fits — and which deadline controls — before the employer’s narrative hardens.
- VWPL (§ 40.1-27.3): Virginia’s general whistleblower statute for good-faith reports — see Va. Code § 40.1-27.3.
- False Claims Act retaliation: 31 U.S.C. § 3730(h) for employees who act to stop False Claims Act violations. Qui tam is a separate, fact-specific path — never a promised recovery.
- 10 U.S.C. § 2409: Federal Defense Contractor whistleblower protections (sometimes called DCWPA) — federal law, not D.C. local law.
MSPB IRA and federal-sector retaliation
Federal employees and applicants may pursue whistleblower claims through OSC and MSPB IRA appeals. Adverse actions can also travel as MSPB chapter appeals. We handle those federal forums as part of our practice.
- MSPB whistleblower IRA: Protected disclosures and personnel actions — distinct from ordinary EEO complaints.
- Title VII / EEO retaliation: Opposition and participation activity remain independently actionable when punished.
Evidence and clearance-aware strategy
Retaliation often looks like sudden PIPs, clearance whispers, or reorgs. Organize reports, who knew, and what changed. Cloud Counsel is the secondary evidence workspace — especially useful in contractor corridors.
EDVA contractor qui tam experience
We litigate and evaluate False Claims Act and contractor-whistleblower matters in the Eastern District of Virginia, including Dulles-corridor protective-services and training-contract fact patterns. Specific client identities and Cloud Counsel use appear on this site only with written consent; until then we describe firm effort, forums, and statutes — not sealed or privileged detail.
Experience & commentary
Selected Matters
Public Title VII retaliatory hostile-work-environment litigation in EDVA (Burke) is summarized on Selected Matters. FCA and wage resolutions appear there when clients authorize identification.
Selected Matters & PressCloud Counsel
Build your confidential timeline of reports and retaliatory events in Cloud Counsel before underwriting.
Learn how Cloud Counsel worksFrequently Asked Questions
What if I still work for the employer?
Many retaliation claims arise while you are still employed. We help you document carefully and evaluate stay, negotiate, or charge options — without reckless public disclosure.
Is “DCWPA” District of Columbia law?
No. Here it means the federal Defense Contractor whistleblower statute (10 U.S.C. § 2409), not D.C. local law. We are Virginia-licensed.
Do you handle MSPB IRA appeals?
Yes — we evaluate federal-employee whistleblower IRA and related MSPB adverse-action appeals.
Do you handle qui tam?
We evaluate FCA retaliation and, where facts warrant, qui tam pathways. Highly fact-specific; no guaranteed recoveries. Cloud Counsel helps organize the record first.
Can whistleblower cases be contingent fee?
Often when facts and economics support underwriting. Acceptance is not guaranteed.