Security Clearance Services

Individuals who have been nominated for a security clearance are entrusted with classified information, and the government has increasingly scrutinized individuals who possess a security clearance. Obtaining a security clearance can be a difficult process. If an individual faces the loss or revocation of a clearance, the consequences can be serious.

In today’s challenging global business environment, under the cloud of international uncertainties and pervasive government regulations and security initiatives, many individuals and companies are affected by security clearance regulations. Companies, large and small alike, must grapple with security clearance issues and assure their employees are in compliance with security clearance regulations at all times. The risks of non-compliance have serious national security implications as well as the threat of governmental business restrictions and penalties.

The Security Clearance Task Force assists companies, key management personnel, and employees in obtaining and maintaining the proper security clearance to work with the Department of Defense, the military services, and other agencies requiring security clearances. The security clearance lawyers are familiar with the applicable regulations and work with the appropriate national and local government offices to establish the proper clearance for clients.

This Security Clearance Task Force also assists companies with foreign ownership, control, or influence issues (FOCI) in obtaining a facility clearance and provides innovative solutions to other facility clearance problems. We offer clients experienced legal counsel and work closely with clients during the security clearance process. Our services include consulting on initial background investigations, representing clients in adversarial hearings, requesting waivers, and representing clients during the appeals process.

Practice Highlights

Pre-Security Clearance Counseling – Don’t let inadequate information hamper efforts to obtain security clearance for your executives, managers or other important members of your staff. Let us review the SF 86 questionnaire for national security positions before submission to ensure proper explanations are provided for all answers.

Background investigations for national security positions are conducted to develop information to show whether applicants are reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States. The information provided in the questionnaire is confirmed during a government investigation. However such items as property ownership, serving on a board or owning another business that are not fully explained can cause a delay or even a denial of clearance. In addition to helping clients complete SF 86 forms, our lawyers assist clients through the entire process of obtaining a personal or facility clearance including guiding them through the security clearance interview process.

Security Clearance Counseling – The Security Clearance Task Force attorneys, all with government or military backgrounds, are familiar with the appropriate guidelines, directives, executive orders, and statutes. They assist clients in maintaining the proper security clearance and anticipate future problems.

Denial of Security Clearance – In the event that a necessary security clearance is denied, Armstrong Teasdale’s security clearance lawyers are well-versed in the best practices for responding to a denial letter. Our attorneys assist clients in determining whether to request a hearing, seek a waiver, and/or appeal a case. Our attorneys represent clients in hearings before administrative judges of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals of the U.S. Department of Defense and prepare the most comprehensive case that demonstrates an individual’s ability to access and handle even the nation’s most vital secrets. Our security clearance lawyers also assist clients who face a denial or revocation from other Central Adjudication Facilities such as the U.S. Army Central Adjudication Facility, the Department of Navy Central Adjudication Facility, and the Air Force Central Adjudication Facility.

Facility Clearances – Armstrong Teasdale’s Security Clearance attorneys are experienced in guiding companies through the facility clearance process under the National Industrial Security Program. We advise on techniques for obtaining sponsorship requests, help with completion of all necessary documents, and assist with development and implementation of internal security operating procedures. For companies that have FOCI issues which otherwise prevent approval of a facility clearance, we design innovative approaches for “mitigation” of FOCI, and negotiation of facility security agreements with the Defense Security Service.

Requests for Proposals –Our focus is on the most cost-effective and expedient approach to allow our clients to respond to Requests for Proposal from the government involving classified contracts.

Maintaining a Security Clearance – Upon receiving the desired security clearance, Armstrong Teasdale’s security clearance lawyers continue to advise clients of the type of unfavorable events and issues that could lead to the loss of a security clearance.

Recent Successes

Armstrong Teasdale Wins Clearance for Promising Engineer

A DOHA administrative judge granted a security clearance on January 12, 2010 to a senior systems integration engineer who had overcome drinking problems he suffered as a young enlistee of the U.S. Air Force. The applicant, who was represented by Armstrong Teasdale’s Security Clearance Task Force, had received a general discharge under honorable conditions.

The applicant had been deployed to combat areas with his current employer and was sent by helicopter and truck convoy to remote locations. As a result, he was exposed to small arms, mortar and rocket fire. While serving in combat areas, he had daily access to highly classified information but there was no evidence suggesting he had mishandled or risked the compromise of this data.

The applicant’s supervisors, who were aware of his background, testified and submitted affidavits saying he was an excellent worker and a dedicated employee. According to their statements, the supervisors were satisfied he had matured significantly and there was no likelihood that similar misconduct would recur.

In granting clearance, the judge said he had taken into consideration the fact that the applicant was only 20 years old when he enlisted in the Air Force and was surrounded by fellow airmen who frequently had engaged in inappropriate conduct. The judge said other mitigating factors were taken into consideration, including the applicant’s stellar employment history after he was discharged, testimony from his supervisors and psychological evaluations.

Armstrong Teasdale Task Force Ensures Clearance for Company Operating in Iraq
Runs interference when unforeseen circumstances risk critical government contract

Armstrong Teasdale’s Security Clearance Task Force recently worked with The Washington Consulting Group, Inc. ("WCG") to maintain its operational capabilities in Iraq. WCG had earned a critical government contract to provide air traffic control at several airports in Iraq and train Iraqis to manage their own airspace. After arriving in Baghdad, Iraq, unforeseen circumstances could have prevented WCG from operating in Iraq. WCG hired the members of the Security Clearance Task Force to provide counsel and assist WCG in obtaining the proper clearance required to fulfill its mission. The members of the Security Clearance Task Force worked to establish the proper clearance for both the company and the individuals working in Iraq. Due to the savviness of the Task Force, in less than three weeks, WCG was in compliance with regulations and executing high-priority, classified missions with the U.S. military. "Armstrong Teasdale’s Security Task Force was responsive and diligent in their efforts to ensure that WCG obtained the necessary clearance to continue our work in Iraq." John Martin, Vice President & CFO - The Washington Consulting Group.

Kaveney Avoids a Costly Hearing and Obtains Security Clearance on Behalf of Client

"Thank you Mr. Kaveney and Armstrong Teasdale for your legal advice and services in preparing the Response to the Statement of Reasons to DOHA on behalf of my efforts to obtain a security clearance. I could not have asked for a better attorney to represent me. Your strong, well prepared and professional legal approach led to the approval of my clearance request without the need for a hearing. Please extend my gratitude again to all members of your team. Thank you for a job well done."

-A. Uzzetta, Southwest, Missouri

Security Clearance Task Force Receives Personal Feedback Following Intense Hearing

"I just wanted to extend my thanks again for your hard work and professionalism and dedication to my case. I was extremely impressed with the preparation leading up to the case and the organization of the case itself and obviously the judge and department counsel was also. I was very happy with the way the hearing went even though it was extremely difficult for me to endure. I left the courthouse with a feeling of optimism that the decision will go my way. Luckily for me, all of our witnesses performed extremely well, which made up for my extremely stressful time on the stand.

Thanks again for everything and please extend my thanks to everyone else in the firm that helped with the case. I couldn't have had a better team on my side."

- Key Personnel, Top 10 Defense Contractor; Multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan implementing new intelligence systems.

Armstrong Teasdale LLP Obtains Favorable Result at Security Clearance Hearing

Members of the Security Clearance Services Practice Group

Jackson, Bob	Scherrer, Richard
Kaveney, Brian	Stoneman, Mark
Limbaugh, Sr., Stephen	Weaver, Tom
Martin, Jim