About Law Firm of Daniel L. Ellis — General Practice Burlington Vermont
General practice Burlington residents and federal employees in Vermont count on covers a spectrum that few attorneys master, and Daniel L. Ellis has built a practice around the most technically demanding corner of it: federal security clearance law. The Law Firm of Daniel L. Ellis serves clients throughout Burlington and nationwide, with a focus on security clearance hearings, appeals, and administrative proceedings before federal agencies including the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. Attorney Ellis brings over 13 years of legal experience, a direct communication style that clients consistently describe as refreshing, and a track record of successful outcomes in hearings that other attorneys find daunting. For federal employees and contractors whose careers depend on maintaining their clearance, Ellis represents a rare combination of competence, honesty, and personal investment in every case.
Beyond security clearance defense, the firm handles a range of general practice matters including civil litigation defense, family law, mediation, and administrative proceedings. Attorney Ellis holds a Rule 31 license as a Civil and Family Mediator with specialized training in domestic violence matters, and has represented clients in high-stakes asset division cases and multi-million dollar civil defense. That breadth, combined with the firm’s security clearance specialization, makes it an effective general legal resource for individuals with complex federal-intersection legal needs.
What Clients Say
Reviewers uniformly describe Daniel Ellis as honest, direct, and personally invested in every case. In security clearance matters — where candor about case odds is essential — clients specifically praise his willingness to give an unvarnished assessment from the start rather than false reassurance. He is described as keeping clients fully informed at every step, returning communications promptly, and treating each case with the seriousness of a personal matter. Multiple clients who faced contested federal hearings report successful outcomes and credit Ellis’s deep familiarity with DOE and DOD adjudication procedures. The recurring phrase is “straight shooter” — someone who tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.
General Practice Burlington — Practice Areas & Services
- Security clearance hearings and appeals: Representation before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), Department of Energy hearings, and reconsideration requests for denied or revoked clearances.
- Administrative law: Federal agency proceedings, administrative hearings, and government employment matters for clients across Vermont and nationwide.
- Civil litigation defense: Defense representation in civil lawsuits, including insurance company defense and multi-party commercial disputes.
- Family law and divorce: Representation in divorce proceedings, including complex asset division matters, custody, and support negotiations in Chittenden County Family Court.
- Mediation: Court-approved civil and family mediation services; Rule 31-certified mediator with domestic violence training.
- General legal counsel: Consultations and representation for individuals facing federal-intersection legal issues, administrative proceedings, or civil matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Vermont-based attorney handle a federal security clearance case?
Yes. Federal security clearance hearings are administrative proceedings governed by federal law and agency regulations, not state court rules. An attorney licensed in any state can represent clients before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) or the Department of Energy Personnel Security Hearing Office. Daniel Ellis has represented clients successfully in these federal forums regardless of where they are located geographically.
What are the most common reasons a federal security clearance is denied or revoked?
Financial concerns are the leading disqualifier, with DCSA data showing that nearly 30% of clearance denials involve guideline F (financial considerations) issues such as delinquent debt, bankruptcies, or unexplained wealth. Drug involvement, personal conduct, and dishonesty on the SF-86 form are also frequent grounds. Attorney Ellis evaluates each client’s specific disqualifying factors and builds a mitigation strategy tailored to the adjudicative guidelines that apply.
How long does a security clearance appeal typically take?
Federal security clearance processing timelines vary by agency and level. At the Top-Secret level, average end-to-end processing currently runs approximately 243 days as of recent DCSA reporting. Appeal timelines before DOHA can add additional months, and outcomes vary depending on the strength of the mitigation evidence presented. Engaging an experienced clearance attorney early in the process typically results in better-prepared submissions and stronger outcomes.
Quick Facts: General Practice in Burlington, Vermont
- Federal clearance backlog (2024): Security clearance pending cases peaked at approximately 291,200 in September 2024 — the highest since FY2019 — before recent processing improvements — Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
- Top-Secret processing time: Average end-to-end processing for a Top-Secret clearance is approximately 243 days as of Q3 FY2025 — DCSA Personnel Vetting Metrics
- Leading denial reason: Financial considerations account for nearly 30% of security clearance denials annually, making them the most common disqualifying factor — DCSA / DOHA Annual Adjudication Data
