Security Clearance Defense
A security clearance suspension or revocation can end a career in federal service or government contracting with little warning. We represent individuals navigating clearance reviews and adverse suitability determinations.
Is This Your Situation?
Federal employees and government contractors come to Maher Legal when their security clearance is threatened. You may be in the right place if:
How We Approach Security Clearance Matters
Security clearance proceedings occupy an unusual space in the law. They are administrative rather than criminal, but the practical consequences on a career can be more severe than many criminal penalties. The proceedings are governed by specialized regulations and adjudicative guidelines that most attorneys rarely encounter, and the forums where these decisions are made operate differently from both courts and standard administrative tribunals.
Maher Legal has represented individuals facing clearance reviews and adverse suitability determinations across multiple federal agencies and contracting environments. The firm’s background includes direct experience inside federal national security institutions, which informs its understanding of how clearance decisions are made and what the adjudicative process looks like from the perspective of the decision-makers.
Effective representation in a clearance matter requires more than legal argument. It requires a thorough understanding of the adjudicative guidelines governing the specific concerns raised, the ability to marshal evidence that addresses those concerns directly, and the judgment to present that evidence in a way that is credible to the officials making the determination.
What the Process Looks Like
Statement of Reasons
A clearance proceeding typically begins with a Statement of Reasons, a written document from the relevant government authority identifying the specific concerns that have prompted the review. The Statement of Reasons sets the agenda for everything that follows. Counsel reviews it carefully, assesses the strength of the concerns raised, identifies mitigating evidence, and prepares a written response that addresses each issue directly.
Hearing
Depending on the agency and the nature of the proceeding, the individual may have the opportunity to appear before a decision-maker and present evidence directly. An attorney can advise on what that process looks like in a specific matter. In most proceedings, the rules of evidence do not apply in the same way they do in court, but the proceeding is adversarial and preparation matters.
Appeal
If the initial determination is adverse, the individual may appeal to the relevant appeal board. The appeal is typically decided on the written record, though some boards permit oral argument. An attorney can advise on the specific options available in a given matter.
Representative Matters
The firm has represented individuals facing clearance reviews and adverse suitability determinations across multiple federal agencies and contracting environments. Matters have involved a range of adjudicative concerns, including personal conduct, financial issues, foreign contacts, and national security employment suitability.
A Clearance Matter Requires Prompt Action
Security clearance proceedings move on timelines that do not wait. If you have received a Statement of Reasons or been notified that your clearance is under review, early engagement with counsel gives you the best opportunity to respond effectively. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your situation.
You can also reach us by phone at (708) 468-8155.