EXECUTIVE CONSULTATION
When federal agencies get it wrong, federal court gets it right.
$500 — Credits 100% toward your retainer
When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denies a petition that should have been granted. When a contracting officer awards a contract that should have been yours. When EPA enforces a regulation it does not have the authority to enforce. When an agency sits on your file past every published deadline. The administrative process is over. It is time for federal court.
EDITORIAL IMAGE PLACEHOLDER
The administrative process is over. It is time for federal court.
DC Federal Litigation PLLC files cases in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Courts of multiple federal districts, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the D.C. and Federal Circuits.
We have reversed federal agency decisions, helped move the federal government's national interest exemption process during a national emergency, and forced agencies to open files they tried to keep closed.
The Receipts
Five matters. One playbook. The federal docket.
We helped move the White House during a pandemic.
When Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 9993, and 9996 closed U.S. borders during COVID-19, the initial White House National Interest Exemption list named only the NBA, NHL, USTA, and PGA.
Sherrod Seward, Esq. was among the first private attorneys — and one of very few — to secure exemption status for private sports organizations through direct negotiation with U.S. Senate offices and the Department of Homeland Security. Clients added to the exempt list included:
Top Rank, Inc.— the boxing promoter behind Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Tyson Fury
Salita Promotions — the boxing promoter that aired the first major boxing events of the pandemic
These exemptions allowed athletes, coaches, and immediate family of those organizations to receive expedited consular interviews and direct entry to the United States via 212(f) waivers issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations Coronavirus Coordination Cell.
That is not winning a case. That is moving the federal government.
We sued the federal government — and won.
First Round Management v. USCIS et al. — S.D. Fla. — Case No. 1:22-cv-21609-RNSUSCIS denied a P-1A petition for an internationally recognized MMA athlete sponsored by First Round Management. We filed in federal court alleging arbitrary and capricious agency action under the Administrative Procedure Act, citing the agency's misapplication of 8 CFR § 214.2(p)(3) and its imposition of evidentiary requirements not contained in the regulation.
USCIS reopened and reversed its denial within two weeks. The visa was approved.
The case was voluntarily dismissed once the visa was approved. The matter is now public reference for sports management agencies seeking to serve as P-1 visa sponsors. Read the public release →
"I'm proud of the fact that we sued the federal government and won, and that we can help a lot of fighters realize their dreams."
— Malki Kawa, CEO, First Round Management · Licensed NFL Agent
We force the government to open the books.
Law Offices of Sherrod Seward, PLLC v. USCIS — W.D.N.C. — Case No. 3:25-cv-00057
A Freedom of Information Act action filed against USCIS to compel production of records the agency declined to release. Filed January 2025 and currently active. FOIA litigation is how this practice forces transparency from federal agencies — and how it builds the evidentiary record needed to win subsequent APA challenges.
When agencies say "no" to a FOIA request, federal court is the only place that can compel them to say "yes."
We litigate the federal docket.
In addition to the matters above, the firm maintains an active federal litigation portfolio across visa cases, including pending complaints filed on behalf of:
AMG Sports Group LLC — federal complaint challenging USCIS denial of P-1A petition
LFG Boxing Management LLC — federal complaint challenging USCIS denial of P-1A petition
Tursunov-related parties — federal complaint challenging USCIS denial
Multiple active matters. One playbook. Federal courts have the authority to set aside arbitrary agency decisions under 5 U.S.C. § 706. We use that authority.
We tied an NFL player's visa to his agent.
P-1 visas are usually tied to teams. When NFL defensive back Tevaughn Campbell kept losing days to back-and-forth international travel every contract turn, we restructured the visa to tie to his agent rather than the team — eliminating the cycle entirely. The case was reported in Front Office Sports in November 2022.
"I had to leave the country, fly back to Toronto, and then fly back to California. Now that Sherrod has tied my visa to my agent, I don't have any more problems like that."
— Tevaughn Campbell, NFL
Past Performance
Selected representations and partnerships.
Logos and names shown for editorial reference. Inclusion does not imply current representation, endorsement, or sponsorship.
Sports Organizations, Leagues & Federations
Sports Organizations, Leagues & Federations
Athletes & Public Figures
Canelo Álvarez · Tyson Fury · Tevaughn Campbell (NFL) · Hansel Emmanuel (NCAA D-I, NIL) · Sandor Martin · Herbert Burns (UFC) · Maxim Dedik · Mateusz Rebecki (UFC) · Eduardo Morán Pérez · Dalanda Ouendeno (NASCAR / Trackhouse Racing)
Media Coverage
Published Work
Immigration Options for Artists, Entertainers & Athletes
Sherrod Seward, Esq. is a contributing author of the American Immigration Lawyers Association's authoritative treatise on visa pathways for individuals of extraordinary ability. Published by AILA. Available for practitioners, in-house counsel, and sponsoring organizations through the AILA bookstore.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Invited by every major bar in the practice areas.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) — contributing author and conference speaker
• Sports Lawyers Association (SLA) — North Carolina Partner Member · 2021 Annual Conference panel speaker on National Interest Exemptions
• Esports Bar Association — 2019 Los Angeles conference panel speaker on immigration for international esports athletes
• North Carolina Bar Association — speaker
• American Bar Association — Sports & Entertainment Law Section — member
• Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) — member
• Export-Import Bank of the United States — Export Essentials Symposium speaker
What We Do in Federal Court
Practice areas.
The receipts above lean immigration-heavy because that is where the most public wins live. The practice itself is broader.
Immigration Federal Litigation
USCIS mandamus actions, visa denial appeals under the APA, consular processing challenges. Including P-1, O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and other employment-based petitions.
Federal Records & Transparency
FOIA litigation against USCIS, the Department of State, DHS, and other agency-level records. We sue when agencies refuse to produce.
Government Contracts
Bid protests at GAO and the Court of Federal Claims, SBA certification denials (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB), suspension and debarment defense.
Tucker Act & Money Claims
Monetary claims against the United States for contract breaches, takings, and statutory violations brought in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Environmental & Regulatory
EPA permit decisions, enforcement actions, and rulemaking challenges in the D.C. Circuit and federal district courts.
Out-of-State Counsel Services
DC pro hac vice sponsorship, federal court ad hoc counsel, limited-scope representation for specific filings, oral arguments, or emergency matters.
How the Consultation Works
A paid working session, not a discovery call.
1. Tell us what's going on
A short intake form captures who you are, the issue, and the urgency. Three minutes.
2. Pay the consultation fee
$500, secure via Stripe. Covers our pre-call review of your record and the strategic session itself.
3. Submit your documents
Once payment clears, you receive a secure upload link for your denial notice, NOID, RFE, prior petition, organizational documents, contracts.
4. We review before the call
Our team reads everything before you ever pick up the phone. The consultation is not where we learn your case. It is where we strategize it.
5. Strategy session
A scheduled 30-minute call with Sherrod Seward, Esq. covering causes of action, jurisdictional fit, deadlines, realistic timeline, and budget.
6. Written follow-up
Within two business days you receive a written summary of the strategic recommendation. Yours to keep regardless of whether we engage further.
Retainer credit. If you engage the firm to represent you, your $500 consultation fee credits 100% toward your initial retainer. Credit applies to engagements signed within 90 days of the consultation.
Sherrod D. Seward, Esq.
MANAGING ATTORNEY · DC BAR NO. 102922Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Sherrod Seward, PLLC, doing business as DC Federal Litigation PLLC. Member of the District of Columbia Bar. Practices in federal court throughout the United States.
J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2012) — studied sports law under former IMG General Counsel Peter Carfagna. B.S. Marketing, Hampton University (2009) — Presidential Scholar.
Recognition
Nominated, United Nations 2018 MIPAD Most Influential People of African Descent, Under 40, Global 100 List. Former member, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles' International Cabinet.
Featured In
Front Office Sports · The UK Mirror · USA Today · WCCB News (Charlotte) · MMA Payout · PRWeb
Professional Affiliations
American Immigration Lawyers Association · Sports Lawyers Association · Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association · Esports Bar Association · American Bar Association — Sports & Entertainment Section · Export Legal Assistance Network · John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys
Ready to move your case to federal court?
The intake takes three minutes. Pre-call document review is included. Written follow-up is included. The consultation fee credits to your retainer if we engage.