We The Action

We The Action Launches Federal Workers Legal Defense Network to Harness the Power of Pro Bono Lawyers To Support Federal Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

AFL-CIO, We The Action, Democracy Forward, AFGE, ACS, NFFE-IAM, NTEU, Partnership for Public Service, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Others Launch Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network To Connect Federal Workers Whose Rights Have Been Violated With Free, Direct Legal Support

Washington, DC: Today, We The Action, the AFL-CIO and a coalition of labor and democracy partners launched Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network to connect federal workers who have been fired by the Trump administration with free legal support. The Federal Workers Legal Defense Network will harness the power of pro bono lawyers to help current and former federal workers understand their rights and seek justice.

From supporting child nutrition and providing health care for senior citizens to caring for our national parks and protecting our national security, federal workers provide essential services in every state. Since January, tens of thousands of federal workers have been abruptly fired and thrown out of jobs their families and communities rely on across the country. They have an urgent need for legal support, which will only increase throughout the spring as “reduction in force” plans go into effect. We The Action partnered with the AFL-CIO, Democracy Forward, the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the American Constitution Society, the Partnership for Public Service and others to mobilize volunteer lawyers and connect them to federal workers.

“This is a moment for lawyers to support the federal workers who serve us all,” said Anna Chu, Executive Director of We The Action. “We The Action was founded on the fundamental premise that lawyers have the power to do good. At a moment when our federal workforce is under attack, lawyers are uniquely positioned to take action. We’re honored to power the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network and mobilize our community of volunteer lawyers to help federal workers get the justice they deserve.”

We The Action is committed to building innovative technology and collaborative relationships that transform unmet legal needs into actionable, high-impact projects for civic-minded lawyers — just like the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network and the platform that supports it.

“Attacks on federal workers are attacks on all workers and on the essential services that our communities rely on daily,” said Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. “Getting these workers the justice they deserve in the face of this onslaught will take all of us. I’m so proud to announce the formation of Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network with our partners today. This new network is a critical tool empowering federal workers to fight back. When we come together, we are stronger than any of us alone.”

Any lawyers who don’t have a background in federal labor or employment law will receive free training provided by the Legal Defense Network. Lawyers can sign up to offer pro bono help at workerslegaldefense.org.