You Just Got a Statement of Reasons. Panic Sets In. Now What?
You’ve worked hard to build your career. Maybe you’re a federal contractor, an active-duty service member, an intelligence analyst, or a civilian employee in a sensitive role. You submitted your SF-86, waited anxiously, and now you’ve received a Statement of Reasons (SOR)—a formal document explaining why the government is proposing to deny or revoke your security clearance.
And now you’re asking yourself: Do I really need a lawyer for this?
We understand that instinct. You’re smart, capable, and know your own record better than anyone. But what most people don’t realize is that the SOR response isn’t just about telling your side of the story—it’s about building a legally sound, evidence-driven rebuttal that aligns with complex national security standards and preserves your future eligibility.
At National Security Law Firm, we’ve seen far too many people try to go it alone—and end up regretting it. That’s because your SOR response doesn’t just decide this one outcome. It becomes a permanent part of your clearance file. It affects future reinvestigations, upgrades, and your long-term ability to work in national security roles.
Why the SOR Response Is So Much More Than a Simple Letter
When you receive an SOR, the government has flagged concerns under one or more of the 13 Adjudicative Guidelines. These concerns may involve:
- Personal conduct (Guideline E)
- Foreign contacts or interests (Guideline B)
- Financial issues (Guideline F)
- Drug or alcohol use (Guidelines H & G)
- Mental health (Guideline I)
- Criminal conduct (Guideline J), among others
A successful SOR response must do much more than “explain what happened.” It must:
- Provide compelling and admissible evidence
- Apply relevant mitigating conditions
- Demonstrate rehabilitation and judgment
- Address the whole-person concept
- Anticipate and refute likely government objections
An effective SOR response is part legal brief, part evidentiary packet, and part character presentation. And it must be submitted with a full understanding of how clearance adjudicators are trained to analyze risk.
Hypothetical Scenario: Let’s say “Jessica,” a defense contractor, receives an SOR citing Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a DUI arrest from four years ago and a second incident a year later. Jessica writes her own response, stating she’s “learned from her mistakes” and no longer drinks during the week. She doesn’t submit proof of treatment, character letters, or a timeline of abstinence.
The adjudicator deems her response insufficient and revokes her clearance.
Now Jessica is out of a job—and appealing is an uphill battle. Had she hired an experienced clearance attorney, her response would have included:
- A sworn statement of sobriety and updated alcohol evaluation
- Documentation from completed treatment or counseling
- Multiple letters of support from professional and personal contacts
- A clear rehabilitation timeline
- Legal argument mapping facts to the Adjudicative Guidelines
These elements often mean the difference between clearance denial and full reinstatement.
Our Pricing and Flexible Financing Options
We offer flat, transparent pricing so you always know what to expect:
- SOR (Statement of Reasons) Response: $5,000
(Includes a $3,000 credit if we previously helped with your LOI response) - LOI (Letter of Interrogatory) Response: $3,500
- Formal Hearing Representation: $7,500 (includes attorney travel)
- SF-86 Review: $950
We also offer legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm, allowing you to break payments into 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans. It’s fast, easy to check, and won’t affect your credit just to explore. Learn more about financing here.
Why Choose NSLF?
This is not the time to gamble on inexperience. When it comes to defending your clearance, NSLF is the most trusted name in the field—and here’s why:
- We are clearance insiders. Our team includes former clearance adjudicators, DOHA attorneys, federal prosecutors, and military JAG officers. We’ve worked inside the very agencies making these decisions.
- We’re located in Washington, D.C.—the center of national security law, where many hearings and appeals take place.
- We hold or have held clearances ourselves. We know how this system works because we’ve been through it personally.
- We collaborate. Every complex case is reviewed by our internal Attorney Review Board, bringing multiple expert minds to your strategy.
- We have the experts you need. We regularly work with psychologists, polygraphers, financial experts, and mitigation specialists to build strong, persuasive responses.
- Our results speak for themselves. Read our 4.9-star Google reviews and see how we’ve helped clients stay in the fight.
National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.
Additional Resources
Visit our Security Clearance Practice Area to access:
- Common SOR mistakes that cost people their clearances
- Detailed strategies for mitigating different types of allegations
- Hearing preparation guides and defense tips
- Articles and checklists tailored to each Adjudicative Guideline
Everything you need to strengthen your case is there—accessible, practical, and proven.
You Have One Shot to Get This Right—Let’s Make It Count
What you submit in your SOR response doesn’t just affect your current case—it follows you for the rest of your career. It becomes part of your permanent record. It can shape the way adjudicators view you for years.
Don’t leave that to chance.
✅ We’ll tell you exactly what to include
✅ We’ll build a tailored legal strategy grounded in real adjudicative experience
✅ We’ll help you preserve your clearance, your career, and your future
The quicker you act, the better your chances of success.
Book a free consultation now. It’s fast, confidential, and easy to schedule.
Go to sleep tonight knowing your case is in the hands of the nation’s leading clearance defense team. We’ve got this—now let us fight for you.
