Susan McGuire Smith

Author: Susan McGuire Smith

Susan McGuire Smith spent most of her federal legal career with NASA, serving as Chief Counsel at Marshall Space Flight Center for 14 years. Her expertise is in government contracts, ethics, and personnel law.

Full Appeals Court Clears Way For Expansion of MSPB Review In Suitability Cases

A few months ago, the appeals court upheld a significant expansion by the MSPB of its jurisdiction over suitability appeals. OPM fought this expansion by requesting that the full Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit re-hear the case “en banc.” The appeals court has now responded in what is a victory for the Board and a disappointment for OPM.

I Forgot About It – That’s Why I Deserve an Extension

A federal retiree acknowledged receiving the notice from Office of Personnel Management about the strict deadline for appealing an annuity decision, but said he should have received an extension because he put it aside and forgot about it. See how the court reacts in Schumacher v. Office of Personnel Management (CAFC No. 2014-3110 (nonprecedential), 9/15/14).