The Bell Law Group is proud to announce that attorney Shayla Sipp (a former EEOC judge) has joined our firm of counsel. Our attorneys are excited to work with Shayla, and we believe her work with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other federal agencies will help us better protect the rights of public servants all over the country.
There are numerous benefits to working with a former EEOC Administrative Judge. These judges have evaluated complaints from both sides, and they can help build much stronger cases that anticipate counterarguments.
Let’s introduce you to Shayla Sipp so you understand the full scope of her legal career across multiple federal agencies. We’ll also review some basics about EEOC hearings. If you need to speak with an attorney about your situation, contact our law firm today. Consultations are free and completely confidential.
Key Takeaways
- Former EEOC Administrative Judge Shayla Sipp has joined The Bell Law Group of counsel. Her extensive knowledge of EEOC matters is backed up by years of experience as a lawyer and public servant for numerous federal agencies, including the VA, the USPS, and FEMA.
- One of the key benefits of hiring an EEOC lawyer with judicial experience is having an insider who understands the system and how the complaint and hearing process works. This also means developing a strong legal strategy based on how federal judges evaluate cases.
- While navigating your EEO complaint and EEOC hearing, your attorney can provide insight into the procedure, help you avoid mistakes that could affect your case, and provide crucial answers that allow you to make informed decisions.
- You should speak to an EEOC lawyer as soon as you request a hearing. It can also be worthwhile to contact an EEOC attorney about the discrimination or harassment you experienced at your agency and what to expect when filing an EEO complaint.
About Hon. Shayla Sipp: Former EEOC Administrative Judge
Shayla Sipp is Of Counsel with The Bell Law Group. Immediately before working with us, she served as an Administrative Judge at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Atlanta, GA. Shayla presided over federal sector employment discrimination cases and also served as a certified mediator and settlement conference judge.
She is a 2005 graduate of Washington & Lee University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Georgia, and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Shayla is currently an online lecturer for Northeastern University School of Law, where she teaches Special Topics in Employment Law.
Shayla Sipp’s Legal Career
Shayla began her legal career in 2006 at a general practice law firm where she handled family law, personal injury, and employment law matters. Later that same year, she began her federal legal career when she joined the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As an Appellate Litigation Attorney, Shayla litigated veteran’s benefits and medical malpractice appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Shalyla transferred to the U.S. Postal Service where she was an Appellate Counsel, handling employment matters and Federal Tort Claim Act claims before the U.S. Courts of appeal.
She then transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where she was a Trial Attorney, litigating employment and labor matters, first chair, before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit System Protection Board (MSPB), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and before federal arbitrators of the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service (FMCS).
Why Having an Insider’s Perspective Matters in Federal EEO Cases
When you hire a federal employee discrimination and harassment lawyer, you rely on their knowledge of how the system works and how to craft cases.
As a former EEOC Administrative Judge, Shayla Sipps knows what issues these judges examine and have to decide. She also understands what these judges are looking for from both sides of the courtroom.
This insider’s perspective can also offer peace of mind for federal employees who may be afraid to report misconduct or unsure of their rights.
What Are the Key Benefits of Hiring an EEOC Attorney with Federal Judicial Experience?
The key benefits of working with a firm that includes a former EEOC Administrative Judge include:
- First-Hand Understanding of How Judges Evaluate Arguments: An EEOC judge knows what other judges will be looking for during a hearing. This can help craft a more compelling case backed by strong evidence that addresses the issues in the EEO complaint.
- Knowledge of Courtroom Procedures and Potential Issues: EEOC hearings are not like traditional civil trials or criminal trials. An EEOC judge will know how proceedings unfold and can prepare your case accordingly.
- Experience with How Litigators on Both Sides Work: EEOC judges evaluate arguments from both the federal employee and the agency. As an attorney, someone with this experience can anticipate arguments and counterarguments to construct a much stronger case that holds up to scrutiny.
What Federal Employees Need to Know About EEOC Hearings
Here’s a basic overview of how an EEOC hearing works:
- A hearing must be requested within 30 days of your agency notifying you of your hearing rights. You must request a hearing in writing or through the EEOC Public Portal.
- During pre-hearing preparation, the EEOC Administrative Judge will identify the issues to be decided while both sides exchange witness lists, documents, and other evidence.
- During the actual EEOC hearing, the judge will explain the procedures. The federal employee bringing the complaint typically presents their case first. The agency will then present its defense.
- The judge will then review the record and issue a written decision. The agency will have 40 days to issue a final order that states whether the agency agrees with the judge and if it will grant relief ordered by the judge.
For more information, we recommend reading our past blog posts on potential outcomes of EEO complaints and common mistakes made in EEO claims.
Navigating the EEOC Hearing Process with Experienced Counsel
The EEOC hearing process can be intimidating, especially for people who do not have a legal background or who understand the procedures in place.
When you work with knowledgeable EEOC lawyers or a former EEOC Administrative Judge, you can have peace of mind throughout the process. Your lawyer can let you know what to expect, help you avoid mistakes, answer all of your questions, and provide updates when you need them.
When Should I Seek Legal Representation for an EEOC Hearing?
You should hire an EEOC lawyer as soon as you request an EEO hearing. It’s also prudent to speak with an attorney about your EEO complaint if the issues are complicated or you are unsure if you have a valid complaint.
At The Bell Law Group, we can offer you the counsel and guidance you need to make informed choices about your rights as a federal employee.
Why Federal Employees Nationwide Trust The Bell Law Group
Founded in 2002, The Bell Law Group is committed to federal workers and their rights as employees. Though based in New York, our law firm represents federal employees located all over the United States and abroad.
When you need an attorney who can help with discrimination and harassment in a federal agency, you can trust our law firm. Attorney Shayla Sipp and the rest of the firm are ready to advocate for you and prepare you for the process ahead.
- We Focus on Employment Law: The Bell Law Group avoids spreading itself thin. Our firm focuses on employment law matters here in New York and the rights of federal employees all over America and overseas. This includes legal representation for federal whistleblowers and legal help for employees affected by the 2025 DOGE layoffs.
- Our Attorneys Have 100+ Years of Combined Experience: Our employment law attorneys bring more than a century of combined experience practicing law. The lawyers at The Bell Law Group can help you understand EEOC procedures, meet key deadlines for paperwork, avoid costly mistakes, and guide you through the hearing process.
- We Have a Record of Advocating for Public Servants: The Bell Law Group gets results. This includes a sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination case in the USPS in which we secured more than $100,000 in damages. We also secured more than $250,000 for a federal employee who was denied a promotion due to race and age discrimination. Browse our past case results to learn how we’ve advocated for public servants over the years.
- Consultations Are Free, Confidential, and No Obligation: Many federal employees are afraid of speaking with a lawyer because of the cost and the risk of retaliation. You don’t have to worry with The Bell Law Group. We provide free and confidential case evaluations with no obligation. All details we discuss will remain private.
Contact The Bell Law Group Today
If you’re a federal employee who’s experienced discrimination, sexual harassment, or a hostile working environment in your agency, the EEOC lawyers at The Bell Law Group want to help you. For a free and confidential consultation, contact our law firm today.
