On July 25, 2011, one of the nation’s leading whistleblower attorneys, Stephen M. Kohn, will share compelling insights from his newly-released book, The Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself at the Mid-Manhattan New York Public Library. The author talk and book signing will be hosted by “Author @ the Library,” from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge from one of the foremost experts in whistleblower rights, free of charge.

The Whistleblower’s Handbook is the first-ever step-by-step guide to whistleblowing and protecting your rights. Within its pages, Kohn lays out twenty-one clearly defined steps on how to effectively blow the whistle while protecting oneself. These vital steps will be shared in our author talk, in an effort to educate the public about employee rights. Attendees can also expect to learn about how the latest federal and state laws can be used to achieve full whistleblower protection and monetary rewards.

Mr. Kohn will also discuss his New York Times op-ed, “The Whistle-Blowers of 1777,” which detailed the plight of the first American national security whistleblowers. Based on the final chapter of The Whistleblower’s Handbook, this piece tells the story of sailors who blew the whistle on misconduct by the first Commander of the United States Navy. Rather than persecuting the whistleblowers for threatening “national security,” the Continental Congress sided with the sailors and acted swiftly to protect their rights. The Congress’s prompt and undisputed response is a far cry from how modern-day administrations treat whistleblowers today, such as the recent prosecution of Bradley Manning and Thomas Drake by the Obama Administration.

Take advantage of this chance to learn more about the history of whistleblowing and gain insight on whistleblower protection laws. The event is open to the public, so be sure to show up early to guarantee yourself a seat.

*Cho Hwang (a NWC intern) contributed to this posting