how much does a security clearance lawyer cost

by Abbey Schiller 8 min read

Cost of Security Clearance Attorney Versus CONSEQUENCES The cost of an attorney who prepares your SOR response and who represents you at a hearing should range from about $3,000 to $7,000 (plus expenses), depending on the complexity of your case.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to conduct a security clearance investigation?

Feb 12, 2021 · Well, if you’re facing a denial or revocation, expect to start at $2,500 on legal fees for a straightforward, run-of-the-mill case won at the first-level appeal and increase to many times that cost for a very complex, novel, and time-consuming case that requires two levels of appeal.

Who pays for security clearances?

They’re also divided into tiers – Tier 1 investigations aren’t even clearances, they’re simple automated checks for low-risk positions. Tier 5 investigations are the investigations at the Top Secret level and require the most work – and the most cost. A Secret investigation in 2018 cost $433. A Top Secret investigation in 2018 cost $5,596.

What does a security clearance lawyer do?

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) took over the background investigation process from the National Background Investigations Bureau last October and has used the same billing rates for background investigations since fiscal year 2018, but there will be some modest changes starting in FY 2021.

How much does it cost to get a top secret clearance?

Sep 07, 2021 · For FY 2022/23, costs actually went down by 3%. A Tier 5 clearance investigation costs $5,410, and a Tier 3 investigation costs $420. DCSA also updated the cost for taking advantage of its continuous vetting services, so agencies can be in compliance with the Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform effort. Enrollment in the Trusted Workforce 1.25 solution can be obtained …

How long does it take to get a security clearance?

Federal government agencies can take as much as six months to approve a security clearance application. When a clearance denial has been received, the applicant will be issued a notice called a “Statement of Reasons”, also referred to as a SOR.

What happens when a security clearance is denied?

When a security clearance has been denied, the National Security Law firm can represent the employee or military member through the appeal process before the DSS, DOHA, or the government agency processing the clearance. Employees and military members seeking national security clearance must take the appeal process extremely seriously, ...

What is national security law?

The National Security Law Firm provides nationwide representation to those who have been denied a security clearance or their clearance has been revoked. The experienced law firm has successfully assisted numerous government contractors, military personnel, and federal government employees in every stage of the security clearance process by providing effective legal representation.

Can you appeal a security clearance?

When a petition for national security clearance has been denied, there will always be an opportunity to appeal the decision. Depending on the type of worker or if the applicant is a military service member, a security clearance denial can be formally appealed by requesting a hearing before an administrative judge or an appeals board. Here, the case will be heard and assessed.

What is a disqualifying factor?

The disqualifying factor occurred as a result of circumstances not in the applicant’s control. There are a number of mitigating factors that could increase the applicant’s eligibility for access to classified information and grant him or her national security clearance.

What does a skilled attorney do?

A skilled attorney will ensure that the written response to the applicable government agency has been adequately researched, is clearly stated, and is fully inclusive in mitigating the concerns of the agency, which will result in a security clearance approval.

Is it difficult to get a security clearance?

It is no surprise the process for obtaining security clearance with the federal government can be a very daunting and challenging experience. After all, when applying for either confidential, secret, or top secret clearance, the applicant’s personal and professional life will be thoroughly analyzed and interpreted.

Probability of SUCCESS

I reviewed 500 cases decided by Administrative Judges (AJs) at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals ( DOHA) between March and October 2012.

Other Factors

It’s possible that applicants who seek the assistance of an attorney are predominately those with the poorest likelihood of success.

Cost of Security Clearance Attorney Versus CONSEQUENCES

The cost of an attorney who prepares your SOR response and who represents you at a hearing should range from about $3,000 to $7,000 (plus expenses), depending on the complexity of your case.

DOHA Adversarial Process

For defense contractor personnel the clearance hearing is an adversarial process. Your adversary will be a DOHA “Department Counsel” ( DC ), an experienced attorney who specializes in representing the Government at clearance hearings.

Before Selecting a Security Clearance Attorney

If you expect it will take more than a few days to select an attorney, submit a Privacy Act request for a copy of your security clearance investigation and any other Government documents you may need.

Selecting an Security clearance Attorney

There are very few attorneys experienced in security clearance cases, but you don’t have to find an attorney who has an office near you. Your communication with an attorney can be handled largely by telephone and email.

As Seen On

In today’s security climate, obtaining a National Security Clearance is often a challenge. It is the knowledge and skill provided by the firm’s 40 years of experience that allows us to overcome these challenges quickly and effectively.

The DOHA Lawyer

Across the United States Alan Edmunds is known as “the DOHA Lawyer”. Mr. Edmunds travels from offices in North Carolina to San Diego cases representing both military and civilian employees who have been denied a national security clearance.