Post-Employment
Executive branch employees may be subject to certain restrictions on their activity after they leave Government service. Two of the restrictions apply with respect to particular matters involving specific parties that they were involved with while in Government service. If the employee's involvement in such a matter was personal and substantial, then the employee is permanently barred from representing anyone back to any Federal department, agency, or court on that same matter. If the matter was under the employee's official responsibility during the last year of Government service, then the employee is barred for two years after leaving Government service from representing anyone back to the Government on that same matter.
In addition, certain high level officials are subject to a so-called one-year "cooling off " period. For a period of one year after leaving a "senior" position, these officials may not make any appearance before or communication to their former agencies on behalf of any person (other than the United States), with the intent to influence them on any matter in which that person seeks official action.
A former "very senior" employee may not make any communication to or appearance before certain high level executive branch officials, in addition to employees of his former agency during the first year after he has left Government.
Former senior and very senior employees also are restricted for one year after leaving Government service from representing, aiding or advising foreign governments or foreign political parties before an agency or department of the United States. Employees who participated personally and substantially in an ongoing trade or treaty negotiation are subject to additional restrictions.
Reference: 18 U.S.C. § 207; 5 C.F.R. parts 2637 and 2641.