Protecting Public Employees

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

New Federal Hires: Outsized Egos, No Brains

by Jeff Ruch | October 26, 2026
The Trump administration does not want to hire on the basis of merit. Instead, the focus is on whether new hires are compatible with the Trump priorities ...

PEER Sues U.S. Forest Service to Release Non-Disclosure Agreements

by PEER | September 30, 2026
Lawsuit Demands Release of Records Following Agencies Failure to Comply with Public Records Law ...

Yosemite Ranger Fired From Federal Service for Flying a Pride Flag

by PEER | September 16, 2026
Dr. Shannon “SJ” Joslin was fired from the National Park Service for exercising their First Amendment rights. They share how PEER is helping them fight back ...

PEER: OPM Rule Creates Back Door Around Federal Workforce Protections

by PEER | July 29, 2026
Proposed Rule Would Gut Reduction in Force Protections and Violate the Administrative Leave Act ...

Comment – Proposed Rule, Promoting Employee Accountability

by PEER | July 23, 2026
Comments to the OMB and MSPB in opposition to the proposed rule "Promoting Employee Accountability ...