Washington DC Government Suitability & Fitness Lawyer
National Security Attorneys Handling Government Suitability & Fitness Cases in Washington DC
At Henault & Sysko Chartered, our Washington DC government suitability & fitness lawyers are experienced, solutions-focused advocates for clients. With extensive experience representing government employees and federal contractors, we will protect your rights. If you were denied an opportunity based on suitability/fitness grounds or you have questions about the process, please contact our Washington DC law office for a completely confidential initial consultation.
Suitability & Fitness: Understanding the Basics
Suitability and fitness are terms used to refer to an employee/applicant’s character and conduct. Under the Code of Federal Regulations (5 CFR 731), many federal agencies have the authority to conduct suitability & fitness determinations to determine if employment or continued employment would protect the integrity and promote efficiency of service. In practice, suitability & fitness assessments can involve a wide range of different issues, including:
- Negligence or misconduct in the workplace;
- An arrest or allegations of criminal activity;
- Allegations of false or dishonest behavior;
- Drug use/substance abuse; and
- Acts against the national interest.
Suitability & fitness determinations are often made when an employee or contractor is serving in a medium to high risk public trust position. An adverse finding could result in a deeper investigation and/or denial or removal from services.
Know the Differences Between Suitability & Fitness and Security Clearances
Many federal employees and government contractors have questions about the differences between a suitability & fitness determination and a security clearance action. This is understandable—the two processes share some similarities and the documentation can sometimes be difficult to tell apart.
A suitability & fitness determination is a personnel matter. It is a faster, less formal, and often more opaque process than a security clearance review. Additionally, unfavorable suitability & fitness determinations do not always carry appeal rights—though an employee may have legal options. On the other hand, the effects of an adverse suitability decision are more limited. It will not stop an employee from seeking (or landing) a job at another federal agency.
Why Choose the DC National Security Lawyers at Henault & Sysko Chartered
Established by two career National Security Agency (NSA) employees, Henault & Sysko Chartered is committed to helping government employees and federal contractors protect their interests. With experience handling a wide range of legal matters, you can count on our professionalism, skills, and knowledge of federal regulations. When you call our office, our DC suitability & fitness lawyers will be ready to:
- Conduct an in-depth, confidential assessment of your case;
- Answer your questions and explain the ‘Notice of Proposed Action’ (NOPA);
- Investigate the matter—gathering and organizing evidence; and
- Build a customized strategy designed to protect your legal rights and your federal career.
Contact Our Washington DC Suitability & Fitness Attorneys Today
At Henault & Sysko Chartered, our national security lawyers have the skills and experience to handle the full range of suitability & fitness matters. If you have questions about your legal rights or legal options, we are available to help. For a strictly confidential initial consultation, please contact our legal team right away. With an office in Penn Quarter, we represent government employees and federal contractors throughout the District of Columbia.
