Security Clearance Case Study

Industrial Security Clearance Defense

Matter:

Federal Hearing Before an Administrative Judge (AJ); Criminal and Personal Conduct Guidelines Trigger an LOI and SOR; Mitigating Factors marshaled, considered and argued at Trial

Service:

Summary:

This case involved a long time defense contractor and former military officer who had held a top level security clearance for many years. While holding this clearance, our client violated his home state's criminal code, which resulted in an arrest and criminal prosecution. This, in turn, further triggered security clearance concerns, a suspension of his access to classified information by DOHA, and the possibility of loss of his job and the ability to work in his chosen profession.

Our client was a good employee; held in high regard by his company, supervisors and colleagues, and by the clients whose projects he handled. His significant lapse in judgment and subsequent criminal prosecution threatened his career, and his ability to hold a security clearance of any type. It was my job as his attorney – and my privilege – to present his case to the appropriate authorities and show that it was clearly in the national interest to restore his access to classified and sensitive information.

We tried this case before an Administrative Judge in a formal hearing. The government (DOHA) was represented by DoD counsel. My argument was that my client had sufficiently mitigated the government's reasonable and understandable concerns, and that his access and security clearance should be fully restored.

Result:

The Administrative Judge found that my client had successfully mitigated the criminal and personal conduct security concerns. Client's clearance was granted.

Highlights:

Using decades of experience in security clearance defense work to provide a good man who had made a bad mistake with a path forward, while at the same time ensuring that his company — and the citizens of the United States — retained the services of this valuable and highly competent professional.

View Client Testimony

References:

Please call us at 214-363-1828 or email us at info@meililaw.com for further details and contact information.

I contacted Col. Meili as a fellow practitioner to gain some context and perspective on a pretty complex set of issues. Because I practice in a different field of law, Col. Meili's extensive expertise was invaluable and he was more than generous with his time. A skilled and dedicated professional who cares deeply about obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients, Bill's a leader in this field.

- Steffen Chapin


After an exhaustive search of military attorneys, I came across the name of Bill Meili. From my first email exchange and telephone call, I knew that Bill was the right person to handle my case. I had discussed my unique circumstance with a handful of other attorneys who felt it may be too difficult to achieve the outcome that I was seeking - but Bill was interested in me and my case, and wholeheartedly believed that we had the ball in our court. I could tell that Bill cared about me as a person and soldier, not just viewing me as a paycheck.

- Anonymous