Thoughtful outcomes, llc

Alisa Reff, Principal Member and FounderThroughout her professional legal career, Alisa (Lisa) Reff has specialized in employment law. After graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, Lisa spent the next 20+ years in private practice.In 2010, Lisa joined the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor where she served in the role Supervisory Associate Counsel to the Inspector General. During her time at the OIG, Lisa served as the OIG’s lead counsel for personnel and related matters, including matters before the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board. She also provided legal guidance and input to all OIG components and staff with respect to other OIG policies and activities; provided guidance to criminal investigators conducting administrative investigations; and reviewed investigative reports. During her tenure with the OIG, Alisa was delegated the role of the Whistleblower Protection Coordinator which provided her the opportunity to consult with potential whistleblowers regarding their rights,Lisa retired from federal service in January 2025 and now represents employees and employers in all matters related to the employment relationship.

Available for federal contracting:
Women Owned Small Business Certified and
Registered on sam.gov

Legal Representation

It is important to us to provide top notch legal services so that our clients understand all of their options. We work as team with our clients to ensure that they are heard and that all of their questions are answered. The name of our firm, Thoughtful Outcomes, describes our goal. To obtain an outcome for our clients that takes the entire situation into consideration.We provide legal representation to individuals who are experiencing an employment issue in the private sector or with the federal government. That representation includes, among other things, assisting an employee with filing a complaint with their agency for violation of Equal Employment Opportunity laws and representing the employee before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filing an appeal of an adverse action with the Merit Systems Protection Board, and filing a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel for violation of a prohibited personnel practice or due to whistleblower retaliation.For current federal employees who are facing difficult decisions around whether to accept a deferred resignation or early retirement, we provide guidance on what their rights are and the benefits to which they are entitled. Then, when an employee takes such an offer, we are available to review the agreement given to them to document the decision to ensure all of their rights are being protected.We also represent employers, particularly non-profits. That representation includes providing guidance on how to handle difficult employer/employee situations while treating all people with the respect to which they are entitled, and advice on next steps. We also review policies to ensure compliance with the law and best practices that exist today.We also conduct administrative investigations for private employers and federal agencies, including those in which whistleblower retaliation or a hostile work environment is alleged.

Mediation

We view our role in mediation to be one of opening up communication so that the parties feel they are being heard and then bringing the parties together to work toward a resolution that is satisfactory to all of the parties. The three hallmarks of mediation are: mediator neutrality, the voluntariness of the process, and the mediator keeping everything confidential.During mediation, the mediator’s role is a neutral one and the mediator will not take wither party’s side. Rather, we look to each of the parties to share information they want the other party to know and importantly as that each party listen to what the other party has to say. The mediator will then facilitate a discussion between the parties. When it appears that the parties have shared what they want the other party to know, then the mediator will work with the parties to brainstorm solutions in the hopes of reaching a resolution that satisfied both parties.Member of the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence.

Training

We have provided training to managers, supervisors, and employees on topics related to employment law including: Whistleblower Rights and Protections; Harassment and Discrimination; Creating a Civil Workplace and Equal Employment Opportunity; Reasonable Accommodations; Updates in EEO Law; and How to Litigate a MSPB case.