The attorneys at Berry and Berry, PLLC are experienced in security clearance law and are here to advise and assist you. We are members of the Security Clearance Lawyers Association. We have represented hundreds of individuals in security clearance matters, providing legal advice, and representation during the hearing and appeals process. Our attorneys are:
John V. Berry, Esq.
Mr. Berry, founding partner in Berry & Berry, PLLC has been representing security clearance clients since 1999 nationwide. He has represented security clearance applicants and holders before practically every federal agency, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State and intelligence agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Geospatial Agency (NGA) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
Mr. Berry is licensed in the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Virginia, State of Maryland, State of New York and the State of Michigan. Mr. Berry represents security clearance clients nationwide before the various federal agencies that adjudicate security clearances. He is also the author of the Security Clearance Blog. Mr. Berry teaches continuing legal education classes involving security clearance issues to other attorneys. He has been interviewed by CNN, ABC and other networks, in addition to being published by a number of newspapers, including the Washington Post and others on his views regarding security clearances. Mr. Berry’s Twitter Account, discussing security clearance issues, can be found here.
Kimberly H. Berry, Esq.
Ms. Berry, a partner in Berry & Berry, PLLC, focuses on security clearance issues as they impact private sector employees in their employment. She has been practicing law since 1998. Her practice focuses on the impact of security clearance issues in the context of severance agreements, separation agreements, and at-will employment. She has advised and represented numerous private sector employees on the impact of separation agreements in the context of security clearance issues. Ms. Berry is licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia, State of Massachusetts and the State of Maine.
Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
Ms. Watkins’ federal practice focuses on cases before various administrative agencies as well as security clearance cases before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility (DoD CAF) and other federal agencies involving security clearance matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Watkins worked as an attorney advisor for the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, the appellate division of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. During law school, Ms. Watkins worked as a legal intern with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, providing legal support to DOJ attorneys on a variety of cases involving matters such as correctional law and litigation, civil rights disputes, mental health hearings, and FTCA claims.
Prior to her legal training, Ms. Watkins obtained her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University where she double majored in History and Political Science. While attending Wake Forest, Ms. Watkins also participated as a member of the University’s Equestrian Team. Ms. Watkins is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and before federal agencies nationwide.
Todd A. Hull, Esq.
Mr. Hull focuses his practice on cases before various federal administrative agencies. He works extensively on security clearances cases pending before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility (DoD CAF), the Department of Homeland Security, intelligence community agencies and other federal agencies involving security clearance matters. Mr. Hull has represented numerous individuals during security clearance hearings.
Prior to joining Berry & Berry, PLLC as an Associate Attorney, he served as a Law Clerk with the firm since early 2018 while attending law school at American University Washington College of Law. Before clerking with the firm, Mr. Hull interned with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division in its Immigrant & Employee Rights Section, where he helped enforce the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), prohibiting discrimination, retaliation, and unfair documentary practices on the basis of citizenship status or national origin.
Prior to his legal training, Mr. Hull obtained his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University, majoring in Political Science/Pre-Law and minoring in Theatre and Philosophy. Mr. Hull is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and before federal agencies nationwide.
Kara G. Osborne, Esq.
Ms. Osborne’s practice includes the representation of security clearance clients before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility (DoD CAF), a number of intelligence agencies (IC) and other federal agencies. Ms. Osborne specializes in security clearance issues and other federal sector matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Osborne worked as a law clerk at Osborne Law Offices, P.C. representing the interests of labor unions and individual employees. During law school, Ms. Osborne worked as the legal intern for the Pittsburgh Pirates where she assisted In-House Counsel review contracts for stadium events and team support, front office operations, and day-to-day baseball operations. Additionally, Ms. Osborne worked as an intern in The House of Representatives for Congressman Tim Ryan and his legislative staff where she helped perform research for the introduction of Bills to the House floor.
Ms. Osborne is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and before federal agencies nationwide.
Brendan C. Stautberg, Esq.
Mr. Stautberg’s practice focuses on protecting the rights of employees in federal employment and national security law matters, including representation before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility (DoD CAF), a number of intelligence agencies (IC) and other federal agencies. Mr. Stautberg specializes in security clearance issues and other federal sector matters.
Mr. Stautberg worked for Berry & Berry, PLLC as a Law Clerk during and after law school before joining the firm as an Associate Attorney upon joining the Virginia State Bar. During law school, he also served as a Law Clerk and then as a Special Projects Law Clerk for National Security Counselors, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public interest law firm focusing on national security-related legal issues including security clearance defense, whistleblower cases, government transparency litigation, and government reform advocacy. There, he gained a substantial background in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as well as experience with federal court litigation (including work on a Supreme Court amicus brief), whistleblower procedures, federal employment law, and similar topics. Additionally, before law school, he worked as a Policy Intern with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press as part of its Technology & Press Freedom Project.
At the George Washington University Law School, Mr. Stautberg was an Associate with the George Washington Law Review and a Member of the Moot Court Board, and he graduated with honors and with the highest level of the Pro Bono Service Award. Prior to his legal education, he obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a joint major in Politics and Philosophy and with a double minor in History and Economics. During his time at Pitt, he interned with U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. in his Washington, D.C. office, working in his Judiciary legislative cluster on issues including judicial nominations and criminal justice reform. This internship was supported by the David C. Frederick Public Service Internship Award through Pitt’s Honors College. He also interned for Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Miller. Mr. Stautberg hails from southeastern Pennsylvania.
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