Washington DC Security Clearance Adjudication and Appeals Lawyer
Getting (or keeping) a government security clearance is not easy. There are a variety of reasons why the Department of Defense, or another government agency, may decide to deny or revoke a person’s security clearance. Unfortunately, if you require a clearance as part of your job, a denial can have a devastating impact on you and your family.
The Washington DC security clearance appeal lawyers at Henault & Sysko Chartered are here to help. Whether you are a first-time applicant or an existing security clearance holder, we can guide you through the process of seeking review of a denial or revocation. While no lawyer can guarantee a favorable outcome, we do promise to explain all of your options to you and provide professional representation when handling your appeal.
What Happens After the Government Denies My Security Clearance?
When a government agency makes an initial decision to deny or revoke a security clearance, it will send the applicant a Statement of Reasons or a Letter of Intent explaining the reasons. At this point the clock is running. By law, you only have a limited period of time–in many cases, just 45 days–to appeal the agency’s decision.
If you decide to appeal, you will then need to file a written brief with the agency to make your case for why you can be trusted with a security clearance. You will need to specifically address any issues raised in the Statement of Reasons or the Letter of Intent. Although each agency has its own specific regulations for granting or denying an application, there are 13 basic “adjudicative guidelines” the government will examine:
- Allegiance to United States
- Foreign Influence
- Foreign Preference
- Sexual Behavior
- Personal Conduct
- Financial Considerations
- Alcohol Consumption
- Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse
- Psychological Conditions
- Criminal Conduct
- Handling Protected Information
- Outside Activities
- Use of Information Technology
When the government identifies a specific concern under any of these guidelines, the applicant must show there are “mitigating factors” that weigh in favor of granting the security clearance. At Henault & Sysko Chartered, we work closely with our clients to craft an informed, appropriate response to every government concern. We can also represent you in-person before an administrative judge or appeals panel to make your case.
Call the Washington DC Security Clearance Lawyers at Henault & Sysko Chartered If You Need to File an Appeal Today
The important thing to remember if you receive a Statement of Reasons or a Letter of Intent is that time is not on your side. You only have a few weeks to act–and this includes not just making the decision to appeal, but building your case and filing the necessary paperwork. That is why the first step should be to contact an experienced DC security clearance appeals lawyer who knows this process backwards and forwards.
So if you need immediate assistance with any security clearance matter, contact Henault & Sysko Chartered at 410-768-9300 today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a member of our legal team.
