Korody Law represents federal employees, military members, and federal contractors facing security clearance denials and revocations in and around Tampa Bay, Florida. Mr. Korody is Florida’s premier Security Clearance Lawyer, having successfully defended federal employees and federal (DoD) contractors across the State of Florida before Department of Defense, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) judges.
I recently completed a security clearance hearing in Jacksonville and was asked in the hallway by a pro se contractor from Blount Island, who was about to have a hearing, what he should do. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that if he is asking for assistance minutes before the hearing, his request is probably in vein.
In my experience, a successful outcome to a security clearance hearing hinges on three things: 1) evidence of extenuation and mitigation for the stated security concerns; 2) organization of the evidence; and 3) presentation of the evidence and applicant to the security clearance administrative law judge. It’s important to remember that after the federal agency presents some evidence supporting the security concerns, the burden shifts to the applicant to demonstrate why granting a clearance is in the interests of national security.
Learn more about our Security Clearance Law practice here.
Gathering evidence of extenuation and mitigation may take months, and it is best to start gathering the evidence when issued a Statement of Reasons. Organization of evidence is important because the administrative law judge needs to understand how the evidence applies to the specific security concerns. Finally, presentation at the hearing matters; while most department counsel and security clearance administrative law judges make efforts to assist a pro se applicant in the presentation of his/her case, they will not do it for them. Additionally, an applicant’s testimony is often the most important portion of a security clearance hearing and needs to be prepared in advance.
As a security clearance lawyer, I cannot create evidence – but I have the knowledge and experience to gather the necessary evidence in a timely fashion. I also can shape the evidence by organizing it in a fashion to mitigate security concerns. I present the case in a professional, coherent, and organized manner and prepare my clients to testify at the hearing so that they present in a favorable manner and can adequately answer questions during cross-examination. Presentation is often the difference between a favorable and adverse security clearance adjudication.
Mr. Korody frequently travels to the Tampa Bay area and takes the opportunity to meet with his clients in Tampa Bay face-to-face. Many of the attorneys out of cities like Washington, DC fly in the night before the hearing – there is no personal relationship.
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A security clearance hearing is truly the last opportunity to obtain or retain a security clearance for most applicants. Hiring Korody Law as your security clearance lawyer means that you will present your best possible case for a favorable adjudication at your hearing. If you have received a Statement of Reasons or a Notice of Hearing, call now for a free case evaluation.