Tom Burhenn

Primary legal advisor to installation leadership and subordinate supervisors on all labor and employment law issues.

Designated Agency representative for appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Federal Services Impasse Panel and federal Arbitrators. Co-counsel for matters heard by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

Reviewed all removal actions and lesser forms of employee discipline prior to issuance. Given extensive experience, was exempt from the Air Force requirement to coordinate appeal actions with Air Force's Labor Law Field Support Center.

Researched and authored legal opinions concerning the Joint Ethics Regulation, Freedom of Information Act and other administrative issues.

I had dozens of supervisors throughout my career. Military legal offices often change supervisor every two to three years. I do not have contact for previous supervisors. The only exception is a second level supervisor: Col Thomas Couture (retired). He agreed to serve as professional reference and can be reached at TOMCOOCH@aol.com.

Prepared litigation reports for Department of Justice attorneys representing the Air Force in federal court.

Served as the Investigation Officer in Article 32 (preliminary) hearings. This is a required step before military members accused of criminal misconduct proceed to a General Courts-Martial.

Designated hearing officer for military members facing administrative discharge.

Reviewed investigative reports and authored recommendations to commanders.

Researched and authored legal reviews on various issues.

Primary legal advisor to installation leadership and all subordinate managers on labor and employment law issues.

Designated Agency representative for appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Reviewed all civilian employee disciplinary actions before issuance. Civilian workforce was approximately 15,000.

As an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate I was lead and co-counsel at military court-martials. In addition, researched and authored legal opinions on various regulatory issues.

Serving as the installation's Area Defense Counsel I represented military members at court-martials and administrative discharge hearings.

Deputy Staff Judge Advocate duties were managerial. Responsible for the oversight of military justice and civil law divisions in a busy base legal office.