Federal Government Security Clearance Attorneys
Since September 11th, a large number of federal employee and contractor jobs require that the person holding them possess a federal government security clearance. Mahoney & Jeffrey’s attorneys have helped federal contractors and federal employees obtain and/or retain security clearances for over a decade. If you are worried about the status of your security clearance, contact M&J at 202.312.7100. We can help you obtain and maintain the security clearance you need so that you can do your job.
Security Clearance Procedure
The federal Executive Branch controls who receives and retains a federal security clearance. Each federal agency is responsible for handling its own clearance procedures. Many agencies have agreed to allow the Defense Department’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) to adjudicate their security clearance matters. If a contractor or federal employee applies for a clearance or seeks to renew their clearance, and their agency turns them down, there are due process provisions that allow appeals of that decision, which may include a hearing or personal appearance before DOHA or the employing agency.
If an employee appeals, he or she challenges the decision to deny or revoke their clearance by attempting to prove that it is clearly consistent with national security that they be granted a security clearance despite any problems with their background. Before DOHA, federal employees have the right to a personal appearance before an administrative judge, during which they plead their case. Federal contractors have the right to a full hearing before a DOHA judge, in which the government is represented by Department counsel. If DOHA upholds the denial/revocation, the contractor can appeal the decision. However, there is no judicial review in security clearance cases.
What we Provide
Mahoney & Jeffrey represents federal employees and contractors from the security investigation all the way through the appeals process. We also represent companies that work with the federal government if they run into clearance problems.
If an employee fails to get a clearance, they will likely be fired. If a contractor’s security clearance is denied or revoked, they could lose all present and future contracts with the federal government. M&J’s lawyers understand that the stakes are high. If you are having security clearance issues, call us today at 202.312.7100 for an evaluation of your case.