Don’t Let the Wrong Lawyer Derail Your Future

When your security clearance, career, and reputation are at stake, choosing the right attorney isn’t just a legal decision—it’s a life-altering one. This isn’t the time for guesswork or gut feelings. It’s a time for precision, expertise, and absolute trust in the team standing between you and a potential clearance denial.

But here’s the truth:
Not all law firms are equipped for this fight.
Many talk a good game, but when you scratch beneath the surface, serious red flags start to appear—hidden fees, lack of government experience, poor communication, and more.

At National Security Law Firm, we believe in transparency and empowerment. That’s why we’re pulling back the curtain and showing you exactly what to watch for when vetting a security clearance lawyer.

👉 These aren’t small details—they’re deal-breakers.
So before you sign a retainer, read this list. If you spot any of these red flags, our advice is simple:

Walk away—and don’t look back.

🚩 1. They Charge for a Consultation

Your first conversation with an attorney should be about fit and trust—not about swiping your credit card. At National Security Law Firm, we offer free consultations because we view this step as a mutual interview: you’re evaluating whether we’re the right fit to guide you through a high-stakes legal process, and we’re getting to know your goals, your challenges, and your story.

This initial call is your opportunity to:

• Ask questions
• Understand our approach
• Evaluate our experience
• Determine whether we’re aligned strategically and personally

If a firm requires payment just to speak with someone, it may signal that they prioritize billing over building trust. That’s a red flag.

We believe in investing in relationships, not rushing to invoice. You deserve a legal team that’s as committed to earning your trust as they are to winning your case.

🚩 2. They Hide Their Pricing

If a law firm can’t clearly tell you what their services cost, ask yourself: What are they hiding?

Some firms keep pricing vague on purpose, so they can adjust it depending on how desperate you seem or how much they think they can get from you. Others might lure you in with a low base price and then tack on hidden fees as the case progresses.

At NSLF, we believe trust starts with transparency. Our pricing is clear, flat-fee, and published right on our website. We don’t play games. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying, when you’re paying it, and what it covers. That’s how trust is built—and that’s how legal representation should be.

If a law firm won’t give you clear, upfront pricing, that’s a red flag. Are they testing what you’re willing to pay? Are there hidden fees? Is the final cost going to be double what you were quoted?

At NSLF, we publish our flat-fee structure on our website. We’re transparent because we know trust begins with honesty—and our clients deserve to make informed decisions.

🚩 3. No Government or Military Backgrounds

This may be the single most important red flag of all. Security clearance law is not something you can “dabble” in or pick up on the side. It requires deep familiarity with classified systems, internal agency policies, and the nuanced standards used to evaluate trustworthiness, reliability, and national security risk.

And yet—many attorneys advertising themselves as clearance lawyers have never served in the military, worked for the government, or held a clearance themselves. They’ve never sat in on a suitability panel, advised a command, or seen how the government builds and adjudicates a clearance case from the inside.

At National Security Law Firm, we were built for this. Our team includes:

• Attorneys who represented the government at DOHA, the agency responsible for adjudicating Department of Defense contractor clearances
• A former security clearance judge, who literally decided whether people kept or lost access to classified information
• Lawyers who hold clearances themselves and understand the process firsthand
• Professionals who have advised intelligence agencies, military commands, and federal departments on security, counterintelligence, and access issues
  

We don’t just know the law—we’ve lived the process from every angle.

Before you retain any firm, do your homework:

• Read the attorney bios thoroughly
• Look for government service, military experience, or time spent inside clearance-adjudicating agencies
• Check how many attorneys are at the firm—and who will actually handle your case. Is it the partner you spoke with? Or will your case be handed off to a junior associate?
  

You’d be surprised how many so-called clearance attorneys are simply civilians who pivoted into the field with no real-world experience.

Don’t trust your career, your clearance, or your future to someone learning on the job.

👉 Ask the tough questions. Read the bios. Verify their experience. Your livelihood depends on it.

🚩 4. Ethics Grievances, Bar Complaints, or Legal Malpractice Claims

Don’t assume that just because someone is licensed to practice law, their record is spotless. Licensure is the baseline—not a badge of excellence. You owe it to yourself to dig deeper.

Fortunately, most state bar associations make it easy to verify an attorney’s disciplinary history. Just Google:
👉 “[Your State] attorney disciplinary lookup”
Then enter the lawyer’s full name. If they’ve been reprimanded, suspended, or involved in a legal malpractice claim, you’ll find it—and that should raise serious concerns.

These issues aren’t just formalities. They speak to an attorney’s judgment, professionalism, and ability to uphold their ethical duties—exactly what you’re counting on them to do in your high-stakes security clearance case.

At National Security Law Firm, we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. Our team was built on integrity, experience, and trust. We don’t just talk about ethics—we live them. That’s why so many clients entrust us with their most sensitive and personal legal matters.

👉 Before you hire, verify. A few minutes of research could protect you from months of regret.

🚩 5. They Handle Too Many Unrelated Practice Areas

Would you trust your heart surgeon to do your taxes? Of course not. So why trust a security clearance lawyer who also advertises services in real estate, divorce, personal injury, or corporate mergers?

Security clearance law is not a side hustle—it’s a highly specialized, high-stakes area that demands deep subject matter knowledge, strategic nuance, and real-world experience with classified procedures, agency culture, and national security risk assessments.

At National Security Law Firm, we don’t dabble. We focus exclusively on matters that intersect with national security and federal employment, including:

• Security clearance defense
• Federal employment law (e.g., wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation, MSPB appeals)
• Military law (e.g., courts-martial, discharge upgrades, administrative separation)
• Administrative law (e.g., suitability, credentialing, debarments)
• FOIA and privacy rights
  

Why does this matter? Because these areas are deeply interconnected. Clearance cases rarely exist in a vacuum—they often involve employment disputes, military regulations, agency investigations, or classified information protocols.

When you hire NSLF, you’re not just getting a lawyer—you’re getting a team of national security professionals who live and breathe this world. We understand how the systems interact, how to anticipate government strategy, and how to build the strongest, most cohesive defense possible.

👉 Beware of firms that try to be everything to everyone. When it comes to your clearance—and your career—you need specialists.

🚩 6. They Don’t Handle Related Practice Areas Like Federal Employment or FOIA

This one’s easy to overlook—but it can have a major impact on your case.

Security clearance issues rarely exist in isolation. In fact, they’re often tied to larger legal battles involving your job, your service, or your ability to access the evidence you need to defend yourself. Ask yourself:

• Were you wrongfully removed or suspended from your federal position?
• Was your clearance revoked in retaliation for protected whistleblowing?
• Do you need documents through a FOIA request to rebut the government’s claims?
• Are you active duty military, and is your clearance issue triggering an involuntary separation?

If your attorney doesn’t also understand federal employment law, military justice, or administrative procedures like FOIA, they may completely miss critical legal and strategic opportunities. Worse, they may not even realize those issues exist—leaving massive blind spots in your defense.

At National Security Law Firm, we don’t just handle security clearance matters—we handle the full spectrum of connected legal areas:

• Federal employment law
• Military law
• FOIA and privacy rights
• Suitability and agency-specific credentialing

We weave these threads together to build a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary strategy. That means you’re not just getting a clearance defense—you’re getting the full protection of a firm that understands how the system works from every angle.

👉 Before hiring a lawyer, ask:
Can you also help with the related legal issues that often accompany a clearance case—or will I be left to figure those out on my own?

With NSLF, you’re never on your own. We see the full picture—and we fight for every piece of it.

🚩 7. Unclear or Tiered Pricing That Keeps Changing

Even if you’re given a quote up front, be cautious—some firms use vague or layered pricing models that can lead to unexpected costs down the line.

You might start with what seems like a reasonable fee, only to discover that you’ve suddenly been bumped into a “Tier 2” or “Tier 3” category—each carrying a higher price tag as your case progresses. Other firms bill by the hour, which means you have no real sense of your final cost until it’s too late to turn back.

At National Security Law Firm, we take a different approach:
✅ Flat-fee pricing for each stage of your case.
✅ No hidden costs. No surprise upcharges.
✅ Transparent retainers you can actually understand.

Here’s our current security clearance pricing structure:

• SF-86 Review: $950
• LOI Response: $3,500
• SOR Response: $5,000 (with $3,000 LOI credit if previously retained)
• Hearing Representation: $7,500 (includes travel—no extra fees)

We also offer flexible legal financing through Affirm, allowing you to spread out payments over 3, 6, 12, or even 24 months—making elite legal representation accessible without financial stress.

📌 Pro Tip: Always read the retainer agreement carefully.
Ask yourself:

• Do I clearly understand what’s included in the quoted price?
• Are there scenarios where I’ll be charged more?
• Am I committing to hourly billing without a clear ceiling?

We’ve worked with far too many clients who came to us after being blindsided by confusing or escalating fee structures elsewhere.

At NSLF, you’ll never be left guessing. We believe that clarity builds trust—and that starts with the price.

At NSLF, you’ll never be blindsided. We even offer legal financing through Affirm so you can pay over time.

🚩 8. They Have No Google Reviews

At first glance, this might not seem like a big deal—but it’s actually a major red flag.

If a law firm has no Google profile or zero Google reviews, there’s usually a reason. In our experience, this often happens when a firm has received negative feedback and removes their Google Business profile entirely to erase those reviews from public view.

Why does that matter? Because Google reviews are among the most trustworthy sources of client feedback. Google doesn’t allow law firms to curate or selectively delete negative comments. Once a review is live, it’s extremely difficult to remove—making the platform far less susceptible to manipulation than others.

Here’s what some firms do instead:

• They shift their reviews to pay-to-play platforms like TrustPilot or Birdeye.
• These platforms charge law firms to maintain profiles, and if a client leaves a bad review, the firm can dispute it.
• Since the law firm is the paying customer, the platform often sides with them—removing or filtering out criticism.

That’s not how trust is built.

At National Security Law Firm, we stand behind every client experience. That’s why we’re proud of our 4.9-star rating on Google—a reflection of real feedback from real clients. We don’t hide from reviews. We welcome them, learn from them, and use them to improve.

👉 Before hiring a firm, check their Google profile. Are the reviews recent? Detailed? Verified?
If you can’t find them—or if they only use private review platforms—proceed with caution.

Transparency matters. And when it comes to choosing a lawyer, reputation is everything.

🚩 9. They’ve Changed Names or Rebranded

In some cases, firms with a history of negative reviews, poor client experiences, or reputational damage try to rebrand themselves—changing their name, domain, and logo to create the appearance of a clean slate. But behind the new branding, the same problematic practices often remain.

While not every rebrand is suspicious, a lack of transparency about prior firm names or changes should prompt you to dig deeper.

Before retaining any firm, take a moment to:

• Search for past versions of the firm name or the lawyer’s presence online
• Look at archived web pages using The Wayback Machine
• Search the names of individual attorneys alongside terms like “formerly known as” or “previous firm”

These simple steps can reveal whether a law firm is building on a solid reputation—or trying to outrun a problematic one.

At NSLF, we’re proud of our name, our history, and our track record. We’ve built our reputation on integrity, not reinvention. And we believe clients have a right to know exactly who they’re hiring.

👉 Transparency isn’t optional—it’s a reflection of trust. If a firm’s past feels like a mystery, that should tell you everything you need to know.

🚩 10. Unprofessional or Unethical Responses to Reviews

Let’s face it—every law firm will receive a negative review at some point. What truly sets a firm apart is how they respond when that happens.

Some firms react poorly:

• They lash out at the client
• They deflect responsibility or blame
• Worse, they cross ethical lines by publicly disclosing confidential client information in an attempt to defend themselves
  

These kinds of responses aren’t just red flags—they’re flashing warning signs of a firm that lacks professionalism, accountability, and respect for client boundaries.

At National Security Law Firm, we take a different approach. We welcome feedback, even when it’s critical, because we believe it offers a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. We treat every client—and former client—with the respect and dignity they deserve, regardless of the outcome.

Our review responses reflect the same values we bring to our legal work:
✅ Integrity
✅ Professionalism
✅ A client-first mindset

👉 When researching law firms, don’t just read the reviews—read the firm’s replies.
How a firm handles criticism says a lot about how they’ll handle your case, your concerns, and your trust.

🚩 11. Slow or Poor Communication During the Intake Process

The consultation phase is your first real glimpse into how a law firm operates—and it’s when they should be putting their absolute best foot forward. If communication is already slow or inconsistent at this stage, that’s a problem.

Put them to the test:

• 📞 Call the office — Do you reach a real person, or are you sent to voicemail with no follow-up?
• 📧 Send an email — Do they respond within 24 hours? Are your questions answered clearly and professionally?
• 🗣️ Ask how communication works once you’re a client — Will you have direct access to your attorney? Or will you be routed through layers of staff with slow turnaround times?

Here’s the truth: if a firm isn’t responsive when they’re trying to earn your business, it’s unlikely they’ll suddenly become attentive once they’ve been paid.

At National Security Law Firm, we pride ourselves on consistent, respectful, and prompt communication. Our clients know they can reach us when it matters—and that they’ll never be left wondering what’s going on with their case.

👉 Don’t settle for radio silence. You deserve a legal team that communicates with clarity, urgency, and respect from day one.

🚩 12. No Former Security Clearance Judges on Staff

Having a former security clearance judge on your legal team isn’t just a nice bonus—it can completely change the trajectory of your case.

At NSLF, Katie Quintana served as an Administrative Judge for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Hearings and Appeals—the very office responsible for deciding whether individuals are granted or denied access to classified information.

That means she didn’t just study the adjudicative guidelines—she applied them. She sat on the bench and made the tough calls about who should keep their clearance and who shouldn’t. She knows:

• What evidence actually persuades a judge
• Which arguments fall flat
• How credibility is assessed
• What kinds of mitigating factors truly move the needle
  

This insider perspective is priceless. It allows us to reverse-engineer your case through the lens of the very people deciding it.

When you’re up against a security clearance denial, you don’t want a lawyer who’s guessing what works. You want one who’s done the deciding.

Before you hire any firm, ask them directly:
👉 Do you have any former clearance judges on your team?
If the answer is no, that’s a critical piece of experience you may be missing.

🚩 13. No Former DOHA Attorneys

DOHA—the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals—is the federal agency that decides most security clearance cases for the DOD. If you’re a federal contractor or work in the defense industry, your case will almost certainly be heard by a DOHA judge.

Here’s the key: DOHA isn’t just another courtroom. It operates under unique procedures, rules of evidence, and adjudicative standards that are unlike traditional courts. Understanding DOHA is essential—and very few lawyers have firsthand experience inside the agency.

At NSLF, our founder Brett O’Brien represented the federal government in DOHA cases. That means he was on the other side, arguing for the government to revoke or deny clearances under the same adjudicative guidelines that may now be used against you.

This experience gives Brett—and our entire team—unmatched advantages:

• He knows exactly how government attorneys build their cases
• He understands what types of evidence they prioritize—and which they ignore
• He’s seen how DOHA judges analyze credibility, mitigation, and risk
• He understands the classified and procedural nuances that only insiders see

It’s one thing to defend a client at DOHA. It’s another to have been inside the system, knowing its strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. That’s the kind of insight you can’t learn in law school—or replicate from reading caselaw.

Before you choose a firm, ask this critical question:
👉 Has anyone on your team worked at DOHA or represented the government in clearance adjudications?
At NSLF, the answer is yes—and that insight powers our strategy.

🚩 14. Only One Clearance Lawyer Or No Collaboration

Security clearance cases aren’t simple—they’re high-stakes puzzles involving national security, classified materials, psychological evaluations, agency politics, and legal nuance. That’s why relying on just one attorney’s perspective can be risky.

At National Security Law Firm, we do things differently.

We hold weekly “Attorney Review Board” meetings where our team of experienced clearance attorneys—including former DOHA litigators, former administrative judges, and national security law veterans—gather to review active cases. We challenge each other’s strategies, troubleshoot issues, and brainstorm fresh solutions to strengthen your defense.

This means your case doesn’t benefit from just one lawyer—it benefits from the combined experience of a full team:

• One attorney may see a weakness in the government’s argument others missed
• Another may draw from a recent case they litigated with similar facts
• A former judge might provide insight into what arguments are most persuasive
• A former government attorney may offer perspective on what tactics agencies are likely to use

Multiple minds. Diverse backgrounds. Unfiltered collaboration. That’s the NSLF advantage.

Before you hire a firm, ask:
👉 Will my case be reviewed by more than one attorney? Do your lawyers meet regularly to collaborate and share insights?

If not, you may be missing out on strategic insights that could make or break your clearance case.

🚩 15. Little to No Hearing or Trial Experience

Many firms handling security clearance cases avoid hearings whenever possible. Why? Because they’re not litigators—they’re transactional attorneys more comfortable with paperwork than a courtroom.

But when your clearance is on the line, you need an advocate who’s not just familiar with litigation—you need someone who’s battle-tested.

At National Security Law Firm, we take cases to hearing every single week. Our attorneys regularly appear before DOHA and other federal adjudicative bodies, handling high-stakes matters involving classified information, credibility assessments, and national security concerns. These are not just technical hearings—they are complex, adversarial proceedings that require deep preparation, strategic thinking, and confident in-the-room execution.

We don’t just prepare your case—we’re prepared to fight for it in front of a judge.

If a law firm avoids hearings or rarely litigates, that should raise a flag. Because when the government won’t back down, you need a team that knows how to win under pressure.

Ask the firm:
👉 How often do your attorneys go to hearings? Can you walk me through your litigation experience at DOHA or similar venues?

Litigation isn’t the fallback—it’s our specialty. And in clearance law, that makes all the difference.

🚩 16. No Network of Experts (Doctors, Polygraphers, Psychologists)

In many security clearance cases, legal arguments alone aren’t enough. To build a truly persuasive defense, you often need the support of credible, independent experts—professionals who can provide the evidence that fills in the gaps, strengthens your mitigation, and addresses the government’s concerns head-on.

For example:

• Facing allegations related to alcohol or drug use? You may need a substance abuse counselor or treatment provider to document your rehabilitation.
• Accused of poor judgment or emotional instability? A licensed psychologist or psychiatrist can conduct a clinical evaluation and speak to your current mental fitness.
• Disputing claims of dishonesty? A polygraph examiner can provide supporting evidence of your truthfulness.
  

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve built a nationwide network of trusted experts who understand the security clearance process and know how to provide the documentation and reports that adjudicators actually listen to. We don’t just send you off to “find someone”—we connect you with the right professionals, guide the process, and incorporate their input strategically into your case.

Firms that lack this kind of network may miss critical opportunities to strengthen your defense—or worse, rely on unqualified experts whose input can hurt more than it helps.

Before you choose a lawyer, ask:
👉 Do you have relationships with medical, psychological, or investigative experts who support your clients in clearance cases?
👉 Can you coordinate those evaluations as part of the overall strategy?

At NSLF, we don’t leave these pieces to chance. We build comprehensive, expert-informed defenses—because in clearance litigation, every detail matters.

🚩 17. Suspiciously Low Pricing

Let’s be honest: legal representation—especially in national security matters—isn’t where you want to cut corners. At NSLF, we’re not the cheapest firm out there, and we’re not trying to be. What we offer is fair, flat-fee pricing that reflects the complexity, importance, and high stakes of your security clearance case.

This is about your career, livelihood, and future. Clearance issues often determine whether you keep your job, maintain access to classified information, or even continue working in your chosen field. It’s not the time to bargain-hunt.

Remember:

“You get what you pay for” is more than a saying—it’s a reality in this area of law.

Firms offering rock-bottom rates often rely on cookie-cutter approaches, junior attorneys, or upsell tactics that drive the final price higher than you expected. At NSLF, we offer transparent, all-inclusive pricing from the start—because your trust matters just as much as your outcome.

Ask yourself:
👉 Is this a situation where I can afford to take risks?
👉 Or is this the moment where I need the best possible team behind me?

We know what’s at stake—and we fight like it.

🚩 18. The Lawyers Don’t Even Have Security Clearances Themselves

It may sound unbelievable, but it’s true: there are attorneys marketing themselves as “security clearance lawyers” who have never held a clearance—and never experienced the process they claim to guide clients through.

At National Security Law Firm, that’s not the case. Our attorneys have personally held security clearances. We’ve filled out the SF-86. We’ve sat for polygraphs. We’ve gone through the same investigations, background checks, and scrutiny that you’re facing right now.

That firsthand experience gives us an entirely different level of insight into:

• How adjudicators assess risk
• What information matters most
• What it feels like to go through the process

It’s not just about legal theory—it’s about lived experience. And when you’re dealing with something as sensitive and stressful as a security clearance issue, having attorneys who’ve been in your shoes can make all the difference.

Before hiring a lawyer, ask directly:
👉 Have you ever personally held a security clearance?
If the answer is no, you may want to think twice. Because when your future is on the line, you want someone who truly understands what’s at stake—not just from a legal standpoint, but from personal experience.

At NSLF, we know the process inside and out—because we’ve lived it.

✅ Final Word: Don’t Just Hire a Lawyer—Vet Them Like Your Career Depends on It

Because it absolutely does.

Your security clearance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s the key to your livelihood, your mission, and your future. One misstep in choosing the wrong attorney could mean the difference between staying in the fight or being sidelined indefinitely.

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve built something rare:
An elite, battle-tested team of attorneys with real-world experience inside the national security, military, and federal employment systems. We don’t just study this field—we’ve served in it. Advised agencies. Sat on the other side of the table. We hold clearances ourselves.

And now, we bring all of that experience to fight for you.

Every week, we go to hearings. We take on the toughest clearance cases in the country. And we win—because we know what it takes, and we never back down.

So before you make your decision, ask the hard questions. Look for the red flags. And when you’re ready to work with a team that’s trusted by professionals across the country—we’re here.

🔍 Want the Full Playbook?

Don’t leave your clearance to chance. Click here to visit our Security Clearance Strategy Center — your go-to resource for:

• Proven strategies to win your case
• A complete cost breakdown
• Tips to avoid common clearance-killing mistakes
• Secrets to maximizing your chances of approval
• Answers to “What if I already got denied?”

👉 You’ve got questions. We’ve got insider answers.

🛡️ Why Choose NSLF?

At National Security Law Firm, we’re not your average clearance attorneys—we’re the elite unit for national security representation:

• Every case is reviewed by our internal attorney board
• Staffed by former DOHA attorneys, Security Threat Assessment experts, and military lawyers
• Located in Washington, D.C. — where clearance decisions are made
• We’re insiders who’ve worked behind the curtain—now we fight for you
• Founded by and staffed with disabled veterans
• One of the fastest-growing national security law firms in the U.S.

💵 Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing

No surprise bills. No hourly rates. Just mission-focused pricing.

• SF-86 Review: $950 flat fee
• Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) Response: $3,500 flat fee
  This covers everything you need to respond and start defending your clearance.
• Statement of Reasons (SOR): $5,000 flat fee
  Already paid for your LOI response? You’ll get a $3,000 credit applied here.
• Hearing Representation: $7,500 flat fee (includes all travel)
  One fee covers it all—prep, travel, hearing. No hidden costs.

💳 Flexible Legal Financing Available

Worried about cost? Don’t be. We offer financing through Pay Later by Affirm — break payments into 3, 6, 12, or 24 months.

• No credit impact for checking eligibility
• We get paid up front. You pay over time.
• Keep your cash flow. Get the legal help now.

⭐ 4.9-Star Reviews

We’re proud of our record—and our clients are, too.
Read our Google Reviews and see why clients trust us with their careers, reputations, and futures.
Our success is measured in saved careers, restored clearances, and lives back on track.

⚠️ Don’t Wait. The Clock Is Ticking.

The sooner you call, the stronger your defense.

• Your defense starts with a free consultation
• We represent clients nationwide
• Legal help that’s quick, easy, and free to start
• You’ll speak with lawyers who understand the system inside and out
• Don’t risk your clearance—take control now

🪖 The National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

📅 Book Your Free Consultation Now.