Security Clearance Appeal Lawyers
Top-Ranked Attorneys Serving Clients Since 1976
The Edmunds Law Firm has extensive experience in helping individuals nationwide with their security
clearance matters, including appeals. A security clearance appeal may be appropriate for a person whose
national security clearance was denied or revoked. If you’re dealing with a denial or a related issue, contact The Edmunds Law Firm to discuss your legal rights and options.
When Is an Appeal Appropriate?
Many people are required to undergo a security clearance in order to gain access to classified or secret
information, including military members, law enforcement, federal employees, and government contractors.
There are several factors that may raise a red flag in the process, such as:
- Criminal conviction
- History of drug/alcohol abuse
- Mental incompetence
- Military discharge
While some national security denials are black and white and cannot be argued, others fall into a gray zone.
The Supreme Court has ruled that when it is not clear as to whether a person is fit for clearance, access
must be denied. Because the government defaults to security clearance denials when it is not clear whether
a person is fit for clearance, an appeal may be appropriate for someone who feels they have been denied
out of default.
The Appeals Process Is Complicated–Our Attorney Can Help
The security clearance appeals process is much more complicated and involved than the criminal or civil
legal appeals process. The government is heavily involved in security clearance appeals, and the process,
as a whole, is much more strict than most other legal procedures. Because of the sensitivity involved in
these types of cases, the reason for a denial may be difficult to access, making it hard to build a strong and
thorough appeals case.
Because of the complex nature of security clearance appeals, it is important to seek counsel from an experienced and aggressive security clearance attorney who fully understands how the law works. Alan V. Edmunds of The Edmunds Law Firm is a highly skilled attorney who has been handling all types of security clearance matters since 1976. He has the knowledge, the skills, and the experience it takes to provide a thorough investigation and, ultimately, to build a strong appeal case. Every member of our team is fully equipped to provide the representation and assistance you need for a security clearance appeal.
Our Lawyers Take a Personalized Approach: Call Us Today
With more than 50 years of experience in national security clearance matters, The Edmunds Law Firm
recognizes that the key to success is providing each client with full insight into their specific circumstances.
We are prepared to evaluate the details of your specific case and to make sure that you understand what is
going on at every stage of the process.
Find out if you are eligible to file an appeal: Contact a national security clearance lawyer at The Edmunds Law Firm today at (800) 481-2526 to schedule a private discussion with our lawyer.
How to Appeal an Unfavorable Security Clearance Decision
It is often possible to appeal a security clearance denial, but the process is complicated. We’ve provided general answers to some of the most common questions we hear below, but there is no substitute for personalized advice. If you want to appeal a security clearance denial, your best next step is to talk to an attorney who has extensive experience with the process.
Security Clearance Appeal Process FAQs
There are actually three different paths for appealing security clearance denials. The first isn’t technically an appeal. If the government intends to deny your security clearance, you will receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR). You will have an opportunity to respond to the reasons stated and perhaps change the outcome.
When you’ve received a Letter of Denial (LOD), you have two options for appeal. One is to request a written decision from the Personnel Security Appeals Board (PSAB). The other is to request a hearing through the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).
Each of these processes is complex and may require extensive documentation. And, time is limited. If you are considering appealing a security clearance denial, you should speak to an experienced security clearance appeal lawyer right away.
The appeals processes for government employees and contractors start the same, with the opportunity to respond to the SOR. However, what happens next is slightly different. If the decision to deny security clearance stands after the applicant has submitted responses to the SOR, a contractor may proceed to request a written review or a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) before a final decision is rendered.
Military and civilian employees will receive a decision after their SOR responses have been received. They will only have access to DOHA appeals or the written review process after receiving a denial.
There may be other small variances, as well, such as the amount of time allowed to respond to the SOR. Your security clearance appeal lawyer can walk you through the process in greater detail.
The best way to prepare your security clearance appeal documents depends on whether you are responding to an SOR, filing a written appeal, or requesting an ALJ hearing through DOHA. It’s important to make sure you fully understand the reasons stated for the denial. You will typically need to respond in great detail to each point raised and provide documentation for each.
In our experience, an effective SOR response generally runs 25-30 pages. Further supporting materials may be required if your case proceeds to a written review or DOHA appeal hearing.
At The Edmunds Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping people secure security clearance and appeal security clearance denials. Our lead attorney, Alan Edmunds, has personally handled more than 3,500 security clearance cases, and he personally trains every lawyer in the firm.
We know exactly what type of information and documentation can help overcome a security clearance denial, and our appeals are often successful. An appeal may be successful even if there are multiple points of concern listed–the key is providing the right mitigating documentation.
You can also count on our attorneys to be honest and direct with you. If we don’t believe you have strong grounds for appeal, we will explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case so you can make an informed decision about whether to invest in the appeal.
Facing a Security Clearance Issue?
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