You’ve just received a Statement of Reasons (SOR) or Letter of Interrogatory (LOI). Your stomach drops. Your career, reputation, and livelihood feel like they’re hanging by a thread.

So you sit down to write your response. You’re honest. You explain what happened. Maybe you even write several pages trying to clear things up. You think: “If I just tell them the truth, they’ll see I’m not a threat.”

Unfortunately, that’s exactly where most people go wrong.

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve reviewed thousands of SOR responses—and the #1 mistake we see is this:

Treating the response like a personal explanation… instead of a legal argument.

Why This Mistake Is So Costly

A clearance response isn’t a confessional. It’s not a therapy letter. And it’s not just a chance to “clear the air.”

It’s a formal legal rebuttal to a government decision. And if you don’t frame it that way, you’re giving up your best shot at reversing that decision—and keeping your clearance.

We’ve seen countless people—smart, successful professionals—pour their hearts into these responses and still get denied. Why? Because they didn’t know how to do the one thing that matters most:

Apply the legal mitigating conditions listed in SEAD 4 and back them up with hard evidence.

What Most People Do (That Doesn’t Work)

Let’s say the government cites you under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) for past-due debts. A typical response might look like this:

“I went through a divorce and lost my job during COVID, which caused me to fall behind. I never intended to be irresponsible. I’ve always been a loyal government employee and would never do anything to put national security at risk.”

It’s heartfelt. It’s honest. And it’s almost certainly not enough.

Why?

Because it doesn’t:

  • Reference any SEAD 4 mitigating conditions

  • Include documentation (e.g., payment plans, bank records, updated credit reports)

  • Demonstrate why the issue is unlikely to recur

  • Address vulnerability to coercion

  • Explain why you’re still trustworthy

What a Winning Response Looks Like

Now here’s how we’d help you write that same response the right way:

“The delinquent debt was the result of a one-time financial hardship following a divorce and job loss in 2020—both well-documented. I’ve since gained stable employment, enrolled in a formal debt resolution plan, and have paid off five of the seven debts listed in the SOR (see Exhibits A–E).

This aligns with SEAD 4 Guideline F Mitigating Condition 20(b): the conditions that resulted in the financial problem were largely beyond the person’s control (e.g., loss of employment, divorce) and the individual acted responsibly under the circumstances.

It also meets Condition 20(d): the individual initiated a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors.

Attached are my most recent credit report, statements from creditors, and letters of support from my employer and financial counselor. I’ve maintained perfect credit for the past 18 months.”

See the difference?
That version is legally grounded, fact-driven, and persuasive.

The Formula for a Strong Clearance Response

Here’s how we structure winning responses for our clients:

  1. Acknowledge the concern clearly

  2. Identify which SEAD 4 mitigating conditions apply

  3. Provide evidence—lots of it

  4. Explain how the risk has been resolved

  5. Tie it all back to trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the U.S.

And yes—we do this for every single guideline, from Guideline A (Allegiance) to Guideline M (IT misuse).

How to Avoid This Mistake Entirely

Simple: Get help before you submit.

You only get one shot to submit your written response. If it’s vague, emotional, or unsupported—it may cost you the ability to work, deploy, get promoted, or stay in your role.

Let us review your response or write it for you. We’ll tell your story the right way—legally, strategically, and persuasively.

How Much Does It Cost to Get It Right?

At National Security Law Firm, we offer flat-fee pricing:

  • SOR/LOI Written Response: $3,500

  • Full Hearing Representation: $7,500
    (If we wrote your response, you get a $3,000 credit toward your hearing fee)

  • SF-86 Review: $950

We also offer flexible legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm, so you can break up payments over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months—with no impact to your credit for checking eligibility.

Why Choose NSLF?

Check our 4.9-star Google reviews and see why we’re the go-to firm for clearance defense.

  • Our team includes former JAGs, federal prosecutors, and government adjudicators

  • We hold or have held security clearances ourselves

  • We meet weekly as an Attorney Review Board to review tough cases

  • We’ve helped hundreds of federal employees, contractors, and military members get their clearances back

  • We’re based in Washington, D.C., the epicenter of federal security law

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

Additional Resources

For more guidance on writing your response and fighting for your future, visit our Security Clearance Practice Area Page.

There, you’ll find:

  • Sample mitigation strategies

  • Top clearance mistakes to avoid

  • Defense guides by guideline

  • Costs, timelines, and FAQs

  • Insider tips from former adjudicators

You Only Get One Shot. Make It Count.

The government already has concerns. You have one opportunity to dispel them and keep your clearance—and the best time to act is now.

Let us help you craft a winning response before the deadline hits.

👉 Book your free consultation here
We’ll review your situation, tell you exactly what to do, and start building a plan that works.

Don’t explain. Don’t defend. Mitigate.
And let us lead the fight.