Following on my post yesterday regarding early retirements and separations at HHS, we understand today that over 120 HHS-OGC lawyers were terminated in association with this newly announced reorganization effort, adding to the firings of probationary lawyers and “fork” departures.   When we add the expected departures for retirements and incentive separations, will OGC even be at 50 percent from the November headcount?

As part of this reorganization, HHS-OGC will close Regional Offices in Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City.  

Clients who are parties to actions should expect some level of disruption as these changes ripple through the system.   

For example, in our current matters, we have seen the sudden terminations of lawyers who were handling material lawsuits and where dispositive motions were due within a week of the termination.