Areas of Practicesc24bk2024-07-16T14:28:01-07:00
Security Clearance Denial Appeals
Approximately 1% of applicants are denied a security clearance. This statistic is misleading because the vast majority of applicants with disqualifying and/or derogatory information will chose to not respond to the Statement of Reasons (SOR) that is issued by the Central Adjudicative Facility.
The SOR will initially recommend a denial, but provide an opportunity to refute the recommendation. This is when many people will give up, but giving up ensures a denial. You have the right to refute the recommendation and successfully fight for your security clearance.
SF-86 Application Advice and Document Preparation
The application advice and document preparation attorneys at National Security Law Firm offer highly specialized knowledge to help you gain security clearance for a job. We work with huge numbers of individuals who are filling out the SF-86 application.In many cases, incomplete or inaccurate information is found that may add time to the application process. When you work with the National Security Law Firm, we’ll help you prepare for, fill out, and submit your SF-86 application. We can also assist you if additional documentation is needed for the application to go through.
Learn More About SF-86 Application Advice and Document Preparation Here.
Suitability Determination
Not all federal employment positions require security clearances (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret). However, federal employment positions are sensitive in nature and, accordingly, require a high level of integrity and trust. As such, the federal government requires its employees and contractors to be considered “suitable for employment” and fit to perform work on behalf of the federal government. Examples of federal positions that require suitability determinations would include federal law enforcement officers, IT professionals, and health workers.
Courts-Martial Defense – Military Defense Lawyers
A criminal trial in the military is known as a court-martial. At National Security Law Firm, our military defense lawyers know the military justice system inside and out. This is extremely important if you are being accused of a crime in the military, due to its unique criminal justice system. While most people have a general understanding of the civilian criminal justice system, the military criminal justice system is unique and differs in many ways from a civilian criminal trial. Thus, it is very important that any attorney that represents a military member at a court-martial has specific military defense experience.
Federal Employment Law
The employment rights of federal employees present a double-edged sword. On the one side, federal employment laws protect federal employees from arbitrary and unfair treatment by supervisors and others in authority. And, without a doubt, when it comes to “job security,” federal employees are much better off than employees in the private sector. But on the other hand, federal employees are subject to various restrictions and prohibitions on conduct that do not apply to employees in the private sector.
Military Discharge Upgrade
We represent clients in the upgrade process nationwide. Moreover, should your case require a hearing, our office is conveniently (and cost-effectively) located in Washington, D.C., where discharge hearings take place.
Military discharge upgrade lawyer Brett O’Brien, Esq., knows that, unless upgraded, less-than-honorable discharges can negatively impact veterans for the rest of their careers and make them ineligible for future benefits. If your military discharge was less than optimal or has affected your ability to obtain a job or benefits, discharge upgrade lawyer Brett O’Brien can help.
Merchant Mariner Credential Denials
If you were denied a Merchant Mariner Credential, or if you had your Merchant Mariner Credential suspended or revoked, an experienced Merchant Mariner Credential lawyer can drastically increase your chances of keeping your MMC.
At the National Security Law Firm, we represent mariners nationwide with respect to obtaining or keeping their MMC.We also understand that, without your MMC, your ability to work is severely impacted as a mariner. Thus, our Merchant Mariner Credential lawyers will aggressively defend you throughout the MMC denial, suspension, or revocation process.
Military Benefits
As a military service member or veteran, you and your family have sacrificed a great deal. As a way of saying “thank you,” there are a multitude of benefits, programs, and discounts that you and your loved ones are entitled to. There are so many benefits available that, chances are, you might be overlooking some major opportunities to invest, plan, and save. In fact, in asurvey conducted by the Washington Post, they found that more than half of the surveyed veterans had not used the benefits outlined in the Post-9/11 GI Bill — one of the most popular benefits for service members.
See Our Complete Guide to Maximizing Military Benefits, Programs, & Discounts here.
Customs Seizures
The Customs Seizure Lawyers at the National Security Law Firm assists individuals in the filing of administrative petitions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) with respect to seized goods and currency and obtaining the release of their property from CBP.Since this is a federal practice area, the Customs Seizure Lawyers at the National Security Law Firm represent clients in this process nationwide.
TitilingRemoval
At The National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we understand the profound implications that titling can have on the lives and careers of service members. Titling, a process by which military law enforcement documents individuals as subjects of criminal investigations, can cast a long shadow, affecting promotions, security clearances, and future employment opportunities.
Freedom of Information Act
A transparent Government is essential in a democratic society. American citizens, as taxpayers, deserve to know what their Government is doing with their money.
Fortunately, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides a mechanism for us to find out what the Government is up to. Subject to nine specific exceptions,5 USC 552allows anybody to ask the Government to disclose its records. It does not matter why a person wants to see the Government’s records. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to any and all federal agencies.
Global Entry Appeals
According to the TSA, approximately 3-5% of the roughly 30,000 applicants that apply for Global Entry status every month will be denied.
Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) in most cases will issue a written reason for the denial, but this is not always the case. In some cases, the applicant will have to pursue various avenues in an attempt to find out the reason for the denial. The most common reasons applicants will be denied, however, will be due to past arrests or convictions for criminal offenses or for administrative customs violations.
Our lawyers have prior experience conducting and reviewing Security Threat Assessments (which is what Global Entry is) on behalf of the government. Using that specialized knowledge, we have created a Global Entry appeal process that results in extremely high success rates on behalf of our clients. In fact, we are so confident in our Global Entry appeal service that we guarantee we will obtain Global Entry on appeal — or your money back.
TSA Pre-Check Appeals
Surprisingly, TSA PreCheck appeal attorneys have found that the TSA often times bases its preliminary of determination of ineligibility on inaccurate, incomplete, or false information.
If your offense was downgraded to a misdemeanor or a lesser offense, was expunged or pardoned, or if it has been more than 7 years since you were convicted of a disqualifying offense (for some, but not all felony convictions), you should be eligible for participation in PreCheck. In these circ*mstances, we recommend that you appeal the TSA’s preliminary determination.
TWIC Waivers and Appeals
If you were denied a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), you should contact an experienced TWIC lawyer today.
If we determine that the information that the TSA based its preliminary determination of ineligibility on is correct, and that you were in fact convicted of a disqualifying offense, the experienced TWIC waiver lawyers atNational Security Law Firm will file a waiver on your behalf. In doing so, we will work to gather and submit various documentation in an order to demonstrate that you have been rehabilitated and that you are eligible to hold a TWIC.
Hazardous Materials Endorsem*nt
We understand the HME appeal and waiver process and will put together a comprehensive appeal and/or waiver application on your behalf.
If you were denied a Hazardous Materials Endorsem*nt (HME), you should contact the experienced HME appeal lawyers today atNational Security Law Firm. AtNational Security Law Firm, we understand the HME appeal and waiver process and will put together a comprehensive appeal and/or waiver application on your behalf.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
The Camp Lejeune water contamination incident is one of the worst cases of water contamination in U.S. history. It is estimated that around one million military personnel, their families, and civilians who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune cooked, bathed in, and drank severely contaminated water for decades – from August of 1953 when toxins began infiltrating the water systems at the base until the government finally shut them down in 1987. The contaminated water has been linked to serious health conditions, including many cancers, birth defects, Parkinson’s disease, infertility, and kidney disease.
TSGLI Appeals
Our TSGLI appeal lawyers are highly knowledgeable of the TSGLI claim and appeal process and will aggressively pursue the benefits that you deserve. Moreover, our TSGLI appeal lawyers handle TSGLI claims and appeals nationwide.
Whether you are an active duty member, a reservist, or a National Guard member, you may be eligible for substantial TSGLI benefits as a result of any injuries that you have sustained. Moreover, the broad sweeping TSGLI benefits are available to you even if your injury was not sustained while on duty or even related to your military service.
Flight Delays, Cancellations, Denied Boarding
Flight delays, cancellations, and boarding denials are an inevitable part of travel. Sometimes, there is a reasonable explanation for the delay, such as severe weather conditions. Often, however, these disruptions are caused by mechanical or technical failures that were reasonably preventable by the airline.
Disrupted flights can cause not only minor inconveniences but serious hardship as well. It may mean not only fewer hours vacating, but it could also mean missing an important conference, event, meeting, or even the last few hours in the life of a loved one.
SIDA Badge Denial or Revocation
At The National Security Law Firm, we understand the critical role that Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badges play in maintaining the integrity and safety of our nation’s airports. These badges are essential for aviation workers, granting them access to secure areas necessary for their jobs. However, being denied a SIDA badge can be a significant setback, potentially jeopardizing your career and livelihood.
Experienced Attorneys to Help
Our attorneys specialize in security clearance appeals. They have dedicated their careers to learning the entire security clearance process from start to finish. They started by working for the federal government before entering private practice. Their extensive experience working for the federal government includes over eight years advising clients on revoking and suspending an employee’s security clearance, reporting derogatory information, representing clients in their response to aStatement of Reasons (SOR), and serving in a joint duty assignment for the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). Their work at the DOHA allowed them to learn the inner-workings of the Agency responsible for representing the Department of Defense Central Adjudicative Facility (DoD CAF). All of these experiences provide our attorneys a unique advantage over other attorneys and firms who practice in the security clearance niche.
A Denial Is Not The End…You Can Fight, We Can Help.
SECURITY CLEARANCE DENIED OR REVOKED
If you are appealing a security clearance determination, it is imperative that you obtain experienced legal representation. Doing so will provide you with the best opportunity to obtain or maintain your clearance.
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