how much is a security clearance lawyer

Full Answer

How much does it really cost to get a security clearance?

Based on the number and type of each investigation, the weighted average cost is about $1230 per investigation. The total cost of a security clearance includes the investigation, adjudication, and front-end processing and maintenance costs.

How much is security clearance worth?

However, some studies (including the report by ClearanceJobs.com) do find a dollar amount range to be more or less accurate. ClearanceJobs.com reports that the “average total compensation” for professionals with security clearances approximately is $90,000.

Is it hard to get a security clearance?

The Office of Personnel Security and Suitability conducts about 25,000 of these interviews annually, for clearances at all three security levels. The process generally takes between four and eight months, but with the current Department of Defense backlog it can take more than a year to receive top secret clearance.

How much does a Social Security Attorney cost?

How Much Does a Social Security Attorney Cost?

• Contingency Fee Arrangement. Disability or social security attorneys do not tend to require up-front fees or retires to take a case.
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How much does a US security clearance cost?

The average cost to process a SECRET clearance can run from several hundred dollars to $3,000, depending upon individual factors. The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors.

Is a security clearance worth it?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

What percentage of people get denied security clearance?

But don't lose heart – 20-30% of all interim security clearances are denied, but that is vastly different than the figure of final clearance denials, which hovers around 1%.

How hard is it to get a security clearance?

The National Security Agency denied the most applicants–9.2 percent. The National Reconnaissance Office and the Central Intelligence Agency had the next greatest number of denials, at 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. These numbers might seem relatively low, but there's a reason for that.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

Contents3.2.1 Controlled Unclassified.3.2.2 Public Trust Position.3.2.3 Confidential.3.2.4 Secret.3.2.5 Top Secret.3.2.6 Compartmented.

How much is a top secret worth?

A Secret clearance investigation in 2018 runs a whopping $433 dollars. A Top Secrets runs $5,596. And in any case, the government foots the bill on said clearance costs; contractors or individual employees are not paying for them.

What makes you fail a security clearance?

Almost half of all denials are due to financial issues. These could range from high levels of debt, unpaid taxes, or even moving without informing a creditor of your new address.

Does secret clearance require polygraph?

Polygraph tests accompany some Top Secret or TS/SCI clearances; however, they are not required to obtain either type of clearance and are not part of the clearance background investigation.

How long does a security clearance investigation take?

In general, expect a CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET clearance to take between 1 and 3 months. A TOP SECRET will probably take between 4 and 8 months. However, some individuals have been waiting for the results of their TOP SECRET investigation for more than one year.

Do security clearances check Internet history?

Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.

What is the highest clearance you can get?

What is the highest security clearance you can get? The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get. A candidate's responsibilities determine the level of clearance granted.

What is a Tier 4 security clearance?

(4) Tier 4 - Non-Sensitive High Risk (Public Trust) positions. (5) Tier 5 - Critical Sensitive positions requiring Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Access Eligibility.

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 is security clearance investigation?

Security clearance investigations are extensive. Individuals applying for clearances should expect to have their personal lives, including their financial and criminal histories, reviewed. In doing so, the government is trying to obtain a clear picture of the individual’s character and security risk.

Why is it important to retain a security clearance?

It is therefore essential to retain the proper clearance in order to continue working in a sensitive position as the revocation of a security clearance will often lead to the loss of the individual’s job.

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.

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 decision?

Whether the application is for a government contractor or a federal employee, if the security clearance has been denied, it is important to know that there are a number of recourses available. When it is believed that the application denial has been made unjustly, it is always possible to appeal the decision.

Can a security clearance be granted if mitigating factors are met?

At this point, the clearance adjudicator may grant the security clearance if sufficient mitigating factors have been met. On the contrary, it may be necessary to move the process to the formal appeal stage.

Why is DHS required to start the DHS clearance process from the very beginning?

Well because DHS feels that they are special, and that they have higher standards than DoD , apparently because it doesn't matter if a new employee has had a DoD TS-SCI for decades , they are required to start the DHS clearance process from the very beginning.

How much does a Tier 5 investigation cost?

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.

Do you need a clearance to work at a company?

Many companies will hire you with no clearance, but you must obtain a clearance to stay employed. When you are considered for the job, the company will most likely pre-screen you with a security questionnaire. This is to give them a good feel for you regarding anything that may flag during a clearance investigation.

How long does it take to get a copy of my security clearance?

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.

What is a DOHA clearance hearing?

Your adversary will be a DOHA “Department Counsel” ( DC ), an experienced attorney who specializes in representing the Government at clearance hearings. The standard of evidence required to deny a clearance is much lower than the standard of evidence in a criminal prosecution and slightly lower than the standard in a civil lawsuit. The DC only needs to present “substantial evidence” to support the allegations in the SOR. Once substantial evidence is presented, the burden falls to the applicant to present evidence that refutes or mitigates the evidence presented by the DC. Although the Federal Rules of Evidence are only supposed to be used as a guide and AJs have broad discretion to rule on the admissibility of evidence; AJs tend to adhere to the rules in most situations. Knowledge of the rules and procedures could be critical to your success at the hearing, as well as any subsequent appeal.

What does an attorney do to prepare for a hearing?

Often much of the work an attorney does to prepare your case for a hearing is the same work he or she would have done to answer the SOR for you. Plus the attorney will have to spend additional time trying to fix mistakes you made in your SOR response—mistakes that can be used against you at the hearing.

How long after a DOHA clearance is denied can you reapply?

One year after being denied a clearance you can reapply, but you have to get the approval of the Director of DOHA before your clearance application will be processed. To get this approval you’ll have to submit persuasive evidence that your situation has improved substantially since your clearance was denied.

What is the burden of presenting substantial evidence in a SOR?

Once substantial evidence is presented, the burden falls to the applicant to present evidence that refutes or mitigates the evidence presented by the DC.

Can an employer sponsor a person who has a clearance denied?

More importantly, you will have to find an employer willing to sponsor you for the clearance. Most prospective employers will be very reluctant to sponsor someone who previously had a clearance denied or revoked.

What is the importance of a security clearance attorney?

a record of arrests or financial issues and are in the process of being scheduled for an investigative interview. In such a situation, it is important to go over the areas of concern with a client that are likely to come up in the interview with a security clearance attorney. There are often ways of responding during an interview that can clear up any misperceptions by the investigator or perhaps mitigate these concerns in advance. Again, it is extremely important to be honest and accurate during the clearance interview process and sometimes to even disclose concerns before the interview begins in certain cases. An experienced security clearance lawyer can help advise an individual about these issues and disclosures before they are interviewed. We often review such concerns with clients in advance of security clearance interviews and help them in explaining the security concerns, in advance, so that all goes as smoothly as possible during the interview or re-interview process.

How to contact Berry Legal?

Our law firm advises individuals in the security clearance process. We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at (703) 668-0070. Please visit our Facebook page.

Is it important to be honest during a security clearance interview?

Again, it is extremely important to be honest and accurate during the clearance interview process and sometimes to even disclose concerns before the interview begins in certain cases. An experienced security clearance lawyer can help advise an individual about these issues and disclosures before they are interviewed.

Which federal agencies have appeals panels?

Some federal agencies conduct formal hearings with an administrative judge (Department of Defense, Department of Energy) and other agencies have appeals panels (National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency) staffed by agency employees which hear each case.

Is it important to discuss potential criminal disclosures in advance?

It is not often the case that disclosures about criminal activity becomes the basis for a criminal prosecution , but sometimes these questions need to be asked before completing a clearance submission.

Is it uncommon to have a security clearance?

It is also not uncommon that we anticipate a serious issue with someone obtaining a security clearance, i.e. recent criminal charges, which helps them avoid the embarrassment of applying for a position that they may get only to be removed later when their clearance is not approved.

Can a security clearance lawyer advise you?

Sometimes individuals don’t weigh (or really plan out) how much a potential security issue can affect their ability to obtain a clearance. Having a security clearance lawyer advise a person about the process can be invaluable.

Why do you need a security clearance?

Federal employees, military members and government contractors are often required to obtain and hold a security clearance in order to maintain their sensitive position with the government or a secured contractor.

What are the three financial considerations that are taken into account when determining a security clearance?

Financial Debt, Affluence & Gambling Addiction . There are three financial considerations taken into account: debt, affluence, and gambling addiction.

Why is my security clearance taken away?

A security clearance can be taken away at anytime due to numerous factors that call into question your ability to work in a sensitive position. Examples include defaulting on your mortgage payments, accruing debt beyond your means or providing a false answer on your SF-86.

Is a security clearance report publicly available?

The majority of security clearance adjudications are unreported, meaning they are not available publicly. But the Department of Defense (Industrial contractors) and the Department of Energy do maintain data bases of decisions adjudication through their personnel security programs.

How long does it take to get clearance adjudication?

The cost of clearance adjudication is paid for by government agencies. Adjudication times can range from 0 minutes to about 17 hours depending on the type of investigation and the complexity/seriousness of issues involved. The data shown in the chart (below) is based on all DoD clearance adjudications.

What does DSS pay for?

The Defense Security Service (DSS) uses appropriated funds to pay OPM for the clearance investigations of DoD contractors, as well as the contractors of 23 other federal agencies that participate in the National Industrial Security Program.

Do contractors pay for clearances?

The law requires that contractors pay most of the costs of obtaining clearances for their employees.” 1. “. . . civilian companies who do classified work for the Dept. of Defense (DoD), or a national security related contract, must bear the cost of security clearances for their employees and clearance investigations can cost several thousands ...