Katie Quintana, Attorney
When it comes to security clearance litigation and FOIA appeals, few attorneys in the country possess the level of expertise that Katie Quintana brings to the table. With over a decade of experience in appellate and administrative law, Katie has built a career at the highest levels of national security adjudication—including serving as an Administrative Judge in the Office of Hearings and Appeals for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), where she adjudicated security clearance denials and suspensions.
Katie’s judicial experience at the DOE’s Office of Hearings and Appeals makes her uniquely qualified to advocate for clients navigating the complex world of security clearance disputes. She has presided over countless cases determining whether individuals should be granted or retain access to classified information, making her an invaluable asset to the National Security Law Firm’s elite security clearance litigation team.
Katie’s legal career began with a strong foundation in appellate law, clerking for two judges on the New Mexico Court of Appeals, where she drafted precedent-setting judicial opinions. In 2016, she joined the U.S. Department of Energy, where she rapidly rose through the ranks due to her deep legal acumen, sharp analytical skills, and exceptional decision-making abilities. She spent seven years adjudicating complex security clearance cases, ultimately earning a promotion to Acting Chief Judge of the Personnel Security and Appeals Division, overseeing administrative judges handling security clearance cases nationwide.
At the National Security Law Firm, Katie leverages her knowledge of the adjudicative process to provide clients with the strongest possible defense against security clearance denials, suspensions, and adverse suitability determinations. She also applies her expertise in federal litigation and FOIA requests, ensuring clients obtain critical government records that can make or break their cases.
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Katie graduated summa cum laude from Baylor University in 2010 before earning her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2013, where she ranked in the top 10% of her class. She holds extensive training in conflict resolution, leadership, and investigative procedures, including coursework from Harvard Business School Online and Cornell University’s Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution.
When you need a battle-tested advocate who knows exactly how the government adjudicates security clearance disputes, federal employment cases, and FOIA requests, there is no better attorney than Katie Quintana.
