Act Fast: Why You Need a Security Clearance Revocation Lawyer Immediately
Your Top Choice For Security Clearance 
Security clearance revocation can threaten your role, your income, your reputation, and even your future opportunities. Fortunately, you can fight revocation of security clearance. Unfortunately, many people facing revocation don’t know how to fight it, or wait too long to address the problems.
At The Edmunds Law Firm, we have extensive experience helping government employees, contractors, and members of the military fight security clearance revocation for decades. With the right preparation and documentation, many people can overcome efforts to revoke their security clearance, but it’s important to act quickly and to have complete information about what’s required.
Common Reasons for Security Clearance Revocation
Security clearance can be revoked based on any information that suggests that you may be a threat to national security. Most often, those reasons fall under one of the same 13 guidelines considered when you apply for security clearance. They are:
- Allegiance to the United States
- Foreign Influence
- Foreign Preference
- Sexual Behavior
- Personal Conduct
- Financial Considerations
- Alcohol Consumption
- Drug Involvement
- Emotional, Mental, and Personality Disorders
- Criminal Conduct
- Security Violations
- Outside Activities
- Misuse of Information Technology Systems
As you can see, the possible reasons for revoking security clearance are quite broad. You could also face revocation if the government later discovered that you had not been entirely honest in the application process.
What To Do If You’re Facing Revocation of Security Clearance
You should contact a security clearance revocation attorney immediately when you believe your security clearance is at risk. In some cases, you won’t know that your clearance is in danger until you receive a notice. In other situations, you may see the issue coming before the process starts moving forward.
One way that might happen is that something occurs that you know may jeopardize your clearance, even though the government hasn’t reached out to you and may not even know about it yet. For example, you might have been accused of a crime, or you may know that you have a growing pile of delinquent debt that will soon lead to lawsuits or bankruptcy.
If you see a possible threat to your security clearance coming, you should not wait until you receive a notice to seek legal assistance.
How the Security Clearance Revocation Process Works
Statement of Reasons
The process of revoking security clearance begins with a notice called a Statement of Reasons (SOR). The SOR contains a list of reasons the government is considering revoking your security clearance. When you receive this notice, your security clearance has not yet been revoked. However, in some serious situations, security clearance may be suspended.
You will have an opportunity to respond to the SOR, but your time to do so is typically very limited. An effective response to an SOR is thorough and detailed, often running to 20 pages or more. So, you should contact a security clearance revocation attorney immediately when you receive an SOR.
How to Respond to a Statement of Reasons (SOR)
When you receive a Statement of Reasons, immediately check the deadline for your response. You likely won’t have long to respond, and drafting a thorough response is a big job. You will need to respond to the listed reasons point by point, and to be clear and detailed in your response.
Your attorney can work with you to determine what information and documentation you should include in your response and can draft responses for you. Depending on the circumstances, your responses may correct errors in the allegations and provide documentation, or may offer mitigating factors. For example, if the issue is financial, you may explain a short-term situation that led to the problems and the steps you have taken to get back on track.
Security Clearance Revocation Hearings: What to Expect
When you receive your SOR, you will also get information about your rights. Often, you will have the right to request a hearing. Usually, it is in your best interest to request a hearing if you have the option. Your attorney can assess your situation and advise you on whether or not you should request a hearing.
The process differs somewhat depending on the department or agency involved. In most cases, the hearing will be through the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). If you’ve requested a hearing and you haven’t already hired an attorney, you should do so right away. It can be difficult to successfully navigate the hearing on your own, but an experienced security clearance revocation lawyer can tell you what to expect, help you prepare, and represent you at the hearing.
Even if you’ve been all the way through this process and lost, you may have options. To learn more, call (800) 481-2526 or fill out our contact form.
Can You Reapply After a Security Clearance Revocation?
If you lose your appeal and the revocation of your security clearance becomes final, you can reapply for security clearance, but the process is neither quick nor easy. First, you will generally have to wait 12 months after the final determination to reapply. And, just like when you initially applied for security clearance, you’ll need a sponsoring agency or department to initiate the application process.
You should also be prepared to show evidence of mitigation of whatever actions or circumstances triggered the revocation of your clearance. If you’re considering reapplying for clearance after a revocation, you should consult an experienced national security clearance lawyer before you get started to learn more about what type of evidence you will need to overcome the prior revocation.
Why Clients Trust Our Security Clearance Revocation Lawyers
Attorney Alan Edmunds and his team of security clearance lawyers have extensive experience with all phases of the national security clearance process, from the initial application to appealing clearance denials or revocations. We understand how important security clearance can be to your career and your future, and our firm has been fighting for people like you for decades.
We’re on your side and recognize how important it is for you to know what to expect as your case progresses. We’ll be honest with you about your circumstances and whether we believe we can help you, and we’ll tell you exactly what you can expect to pay in advance. We will never try to upsell you or pitch you services you don’t really need.
If you’re facing national security clearance revocation, you should call us right now to learn more about how we can help. We work with clients nationwide and offer free consultations to help you make good decisions about your next steps. You can schedule yours by calling (800) 481-2526 or filling out our contact form.