Why Hiring a Security Clearance Lawyer with a Military Background Matters
When your security clearance—and in many cases your career—hangs in the balance, choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make. Whether you are an active-duty service member, federal employee, or defense contractor, your clearance determines where you can work, what responsibilities you can assume, and how far you can advance. A misunderstanding, an old mistake, a financial setback, or even a reporting failure can trigger investigations,
Statements of Reasons (SORs),
Letters of Intent (LOIs), suspension of access, loss of employment, or full-scale
DOHA hearings. In these moments, hiring a lawyer with a genuine military background gives you a real advantage. As a former Navy JAG Captain (O-6), I spent decades advising commands, service members, federal agencies, intelligence components, and security managers on clearance, disciplinary, and administrative matters. That background isn’t just helpful—it’s decisive.
Military Culture Directly Influences Clearance Decision-Making
Security clearance adjudication is not purely legal. It is deeply rooted in military values such as:
- honor and integrity
- judgment and responsibility
- accountability
- reliability
- adherence to orders and regulations
A lawyer with military experience understands how these values shape adjudicative decisions. This becomes even more important when dealing with military-connected installations such as NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, NSB Kings Bay, and Blount Island Command.
Why Military JAG Experience Gives You an Edge
Attorneys without military backgrounds often overlook critical elements of clearance defense, including:
- how command actions (such as NJP/captain’s mast) influence clearance reviews
- how S2/security managers evaluate personnel and report incidents
- how military misconduct overlaps with adjudicative guidelines
- how to frame your service record for mitigation
- how command climate and culture affect reporting
A former JAG understands these realities first-hand.
“National Security” Law Firms vs. the Korody Law Approach
Some large “national security” law firms advertise nationally that they focus heavily on intelligence community, contractor, and federal employee clearance matters. These firms often operate on a high-volume, nationwide scale. While they may deliver competent services, their structure can result in less individualized attention.
Korody Law is different. As a Florida-based, military-founded clearance practice, we combine national-level security clearance experience with the personalized, one-on-one representation that service members, federal employees, and contractors often need. Our military background shapes our strategy, communication, and understanding of the risks our clients face. As a Florida-based, military-founded security clearance practice, we combine national-level clearance expertise with personalized, one-on-one representation. We bring:
- deep military JAG experience (senior military officer experience)
- security clearance litigation background at every stage (SORs, LOIs, DOHA hearings, DCSA AVS appeals)
- local experience with Florida military installations and federal agencies
- high-touch client access—your attorney works directly with you
We respect what national firms contribute to the field, but service members, federal employees, and contractors in Florida often benefit more from a lawyer who understands not just clearance law—but also
the military, Florida’s bases, and the Florida federal workforce.
Specialized Knowledge of the Clearance Process
Clearance cases differ significantly depending on whether you are:
- a military service member
- a federal civilian employee
- a defense contractor
Each path has its own adjudicator, appeal system, and mitigation strategies. Learn more about our dedicated pages:
Service Members Face Unique Risks
Service members in Florida frequently face clearance issues related to:
- DUI / alcohol incidents
- drug use (including marijuana)
- domestic incidents
- financial problems
- failure to report arrests or foreign contacts
- social media misconduct
A lawyer with military experience understands how each incident interacts with adjudicative guidelines and command reporting.
Federal Employees & Contractors Need Tailored Strategy
Federal employees and contractors face clearance risks involving:
- Continuous Evaluation (CE) alerts
- foreign influence
- financial instability or tax problems
- criminal allegations
- e-QIP/SF-86 mistakes
Contractor cases often proceed to
DOHA hearings, which require a high level of preparation—something Korody Law handles regularly.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you are facing a clearance issue—LOI, SOR, suspension, revocation, suitability action, or DOHA hearing—contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Request a Security Clearance Consultation Korody Law, P.A. — Trusted Security Clearance Defense with Military Experience