Legal Definitions - administrative law judge

An administrative law judge is a professional who works for the government to preside over hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies. They are experienced in the particular subject matter of the agency involved or of several agencies. They were formerly called "hearing officers," but now prefer to be called "judge" due to the higher pay and prestige associated with the title.

• An administrative law judge may preside over a hearing involving a dispute between a company and a government agency over environmental regulations.
• Another administrative law judge may hear an appeal from an individual who was denied Social Security benefits.

These examples illustrate how administrative law judges are responsible for making decisions in legal disputes involving government agencies. They use their expertise in the subject matter to ensure that the hearing or appeal is conducted fairly and impartially.