I wouldn’t do mandamus without an experienced lawyer. The process is not a joke or a game. You literally force a federal department to pay more attention to you. Doing so by yourself might not be the best but it’s your file
This. It is magnitudes above a PFL, which you can totally respond to yourself, but some people still fuck up without a lawyer.
In the past, Courts have been reluctant to accept departmental backlogs, or staff shortages as reasonable explanations for delays. That said, each case is considered on its own individual merit, hence why it is important to have an experienced lawyer to help tailor and bolster your case.