Your Career’s on the Line. Here’s How to Save It.

You just got a Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) or Statement of Reasons (SOR) stating that your security clearance is at risk—or worse, denied. Your stomach sinks. Your future in national security, the military, or federal employment feels like it’s crumbling. Maybe you’ve spent years building trust and access, only to see it questioned over a mistake, a misunderstanding, or something you thought was behind you.

You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we’ve helped countless professionals navigate the clearance appeals process, rebuild trust with adjudicators, and walk away with their clearances fully restored. This blog will walk you through what works, what doesn’t, and how to give yourself the best shot at winning.

How the Clearance Appeal Process Works

When a federal agency decides to deny or revoke your clearance, you’ll typically receive:

The appeals process depends on your agency, but usually follows this structure:

  1. Responding to the LOI or SOR with a compelling, evidence-backed written rebuttal.

  2. Requesting a hearing before an administrative judge (if available), where you can present evidence, testimony, and argument.

  3. Receiving a decision from the judge.

  4. Appealing the judge’s decision, if necessary, to a review board.

For Department of Defense clearances, this typically means going through the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). For other agencies like the DOE or DHS, the process may look slightly different but the principles remain the same: present credible mitigation, challenge inaccurate claims, and humanize your case.

What It Takes to Win a Clearance Appeal

Winning isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about strategy, credibility, and execution. Here’s what works:

1. Take the Allegations Seriously—Even If You Think They’re Wrong

Minimizing or ignoring the concerns raised in the LOI/SOR is a fast track to a denial. Whether the issue is financial problems, foreign contacts, drug use, or misleading information, take the government’s concerns seriously and prepare to rebut them thoroughly.

Hypo: A contractor receives an SOR under Guideline F (financial considerations) due to past-due credit card debt. He believes it’s irrelevant since he paid it all off before the SOR was issued. However, he includes no documentation or explanation in his response. The clearance is denied—not because of the debt itself, but because he failed to prove he had resolved the issue.

2. Back Up Everything With Evidence

Strong mitigation starts with documentation. For example:

  • Financial issues? Provide debt payoff records, payment plans, credit reports, and letters from financial counselors.

  • Foreign influence concerns? Detail the nature of the relationships, frequency of contact, and any loyalty to the U.S.

  • Drug or alcohol history? Submit treatment records, letters of support, and results of drug tests.

Adjudicators are fact-driven and expect you to prove your case. Bare denials or emotional pleas won’t cut it.

3. Own Past Mistakes—But Show Growth

Clearance authorities care about your judgment, not just your history. Acknowledging past errors while showing how you’ve learned from them is key. This includes timelines, lifestyle changes, education, therapy, or other signs of rehabilitation.

Hypo: A military applicant was previously denied a clearance for marijuana use in college. During his appeal, he provides documentation of a drug education course, a negative drug screen history for three years, and a detailed letter of explanation. Clearance reinstated.

4. Bring in Strong Witnesses or Declarations

Character evidence helps. Supervisors, coworkers, and others in positions of trust can provide declarations or testify to your reliability, loyalty, and responsibility. This can make the difference between doubt and trust.

What NOT to Do in a Clearance Appeal

Don’t Submit an Incomplete Response

Sloppy, rushed, or vague answers can make you look careless or evasive. Every sentence should be strategic.

Don’t Miss Deadlines

Failing to respond on time can result in a default denial. Pay attention to the deadlines set in your LOI or SOR—and don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.

Don’t Try to Handle It Alone

Too many applicants try to “wing it” on their own. Clearance law is specialized, and missteps in your appeal can have long-term consequences.

Don’t Hide the Truth

Attempting to lie or omit facts will almost certainly lead to denial—and potentially bar you from ever getting a clearance again. It’s also important to be able to tell the truth in an honest and transparent manner while providing relevant context. This is why a trained professional is important, as we can help you walk that line.

Our Pricing—and Flexible Payment Plans

At National Security Law Firm, we offer transparent flat fees for all stages of the security clearance process:

  • SF-86 Review: $950

  • LOI Response: $3,500

  • SOR Response: $5,000 (includes $3,000 credit if we handled the LOI)

  • Full Representation at Hearing (travel included): $7,500

We also offer legal financing through Affirm, allowing you to split payments over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months without delaying your case.
👉 Learn more about our financing options

Why Choose NSLF?

When it comes to defending your clearance, we are the law firm other lawyers turn to. Here’s why:

  • We win—our team includes former DOHA attorneys, judges, military JAGs, federal adjudicators, and prosecutors who know the system inside and out.

  • Based in Washington, D.C.—we’re at the heart of clearance litigation and have relationships with key agencies.

  • Clients trust us. Check out our 4.9-star Google reviews.

  • Insider advantage. Our team includes attorneys who have worked inside the agencies making clearance decisions.

  • Attorney Review Board. We meet weekly to collaborate and pressure-test strategies on every complex case.

  • Laser-focused practice. We don’t dabble. We fight and win in security clearance law every day.

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

Additional Resources

Want more strategies, tips, and information on how to win your case?
Visit our main security clearance practice area page where you’ll find:

  • Top mistakes that sink security clearance appeals

  • Winning defenses and legal strategies

  • Red flags to avoid when hiring a lawyer

  • How long the process takes

  • What to expect at your hearing

We’ve built a full library to support you—start exploring and empower yourself with the knowledge you need to fight back.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Let’s Talk.

If your clearance is at risk, time is everything. The sooner you act, the better your chances of winning—and the sooner you can get back to doing what you do best. We know this process is stressful. That’s why we make it fast, easy, and free to get started.

✅ No pressure
✅ No phone tag
✅ No receptionist gatekeepers

Just book your consultation directly online and get the answers you need.

We’ll tell you exactly what to do next to fight back, restore your clearance, and move forward. Don’t wait for this to spiral.

👉 Book your free consult now

Let us build your customized legal battle plan—and win it.

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