D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-2508
A member, former member, or applicant appearing before the Board at a hearing shall have the right to be represented by an attorney or a non-legal representative of their own choosing and at their own expense.
If it appears to the Board that the issues or facts in the matter before it are so involved or intricate that, in the interest of justice, conservation of time, or facilitating the preparation of an adequate record, a member, former member, or applicant should be represented by an attorney, the Board may urge the member, former member, or applicant to procure the services of any attorney; and, if agreeable with the member, former member, or applicant, the Board shall allow them a reasonable period of time in which to do so.
The Board shall, in any case in which a member, former member, or applicant represents themselves, or is represented by a non-legal representative, take such action as may reasonably be necessary to ensure that all information material to the case be developed to the fullest extent possible, commensurate with the Board's function of sitting as an impartial body.
During any evidentiary hearing, the Board may be represented by an attorney, or by a non-legal representative who is an employee of the D.C. Department of Human Resources.
Members, former members, applicants, expert witnesses, and other persons giving testimony before the Board shall have questions directed to them first by the Board's representative (if any), members of the Board, then followed by the member, former member, applicants, or their counsel or representatives, or as may otherwise be determined.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-2508