Deryn A. Sumner is the Managing Partner of Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. She also co-chairs the Firm’s Federal Sector EEO Practice Group. She graduated from American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. Along with litigating federal sector employment law cases before the EEOC and MSPB, she provides training to practitioners as an instructor with the Gilbert Training Group. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband.

Updated with cases through mid-2025, the Disability Deskbook is an extensive compilation of decisions interpreting the Rehabilitation Act, ADA, ADAAA, and other statutes and implementing regulations, and covers all disability related topics. Major topics include who is covered under the ADA, specific impairments, major life activities, "regarded as having a disability," "qualified individual with a disability," reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, direct threat defense, and disability related inquiries. (more details)

A Dewey bestseller, Compensatory Damages is the seminal text on how to support and defend against claims for compensatory damages and other remedial claims in federal sector employment discrimination cases. Includes case summaries through mid-2026 and a chart of significant awards. Major topics include equitable and compensatory damages, proving damages, mitigation and offset, back pay, collateral source rule, tax consequences, settlement, managing discovery, calculating damages, and attorney fees. (more details)

A Dewey bestseller, Compensatory Damages is the seminal text on how to support and defend against claims for compensatory damages and other remedial claims in federal sector employment discrimination cases. Includes case summaries through mid-2025 and a chart of significant awards. Major topics include equitable and compensatory damages, proving damages, mitigation and offset, back pay, collateral source rule, tax consequences, settlement, managing discovery, calculating damages, and attorney fees. (more details)

In its 4th edition, this Dewey classic provides comprehensive analysis of federal sector practice before the EEOC. Major topics include individual and class complaint processes, theories of discrimination, pre- and post-investigation case evaluations, discovery, settlement, hearing practice, class actions, remedies, and post-hearing procedures. (more details)

A comprehensive, easy to follow, and insightful guide to counseling and investigating EEO complaints, this manual explores the essentials of the EEO complaint process. Major topics include the EEO statutes and process, theories of discrimination, remedies, EEO Counselor’s role, initial interview, identifying, defining the claims, factfinding during counseling, resolution of complaints, MSPB appeals and grievances, EEO Counselor’s report, EEO Investigator’s role, investigative principles, evidentiary issues, scope of investigation, collecting evidence, investigative techniques, and report of investigation. (more details)