---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 8127"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "8127"
heading: "Representation; attorneys’ fees"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/8127"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities"
  - "Chapter 81 — Compensation for Work Injuries"
  - "Subchapter I — Generally"
---

# §8127. Representation; attorneys’ fees

- (a) A claimant may authorize an individual to represent him in any proceeding under this subchapter before the [Secretary](/usc/5/9901.md?p=2) of Labor.
- (b) A claim for legal or other [services](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) furnished in respect to a case, claim, or award for [compensation](/usc/5/8101.md?p=12) under this subchapter is valid only if approved by the [Secretary](/usc/5/9901.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 545.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and<br>Statutes at Large |
|  | 5 U.S.C. 773(b) (less last sentence). | Oct. 14, 1949, ch. 691, § 208 “Sec. 23(b) (less last sentence)”, 63 Stat. 865. |

Administration of this subchapter was transferred to the Secretary of Labor by section 1 of 1950 Reorg. Plan No. 19, 64 Stat. 1271 (see section 8145).

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.