Become an ALJ or Hearing Officer - OATH

Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings

Independent and Impartial Administrative Law Court


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Become an ALJ or Hearing Officer
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Upcoming Programs

Video Library

Become an ALJ or Hearing Officer

Rules of Conduct

Rules in Plain Language

Advisory Opinions

Request Advisory Opinions

Email the Administrative Judicial Institute (AJI)

Join the AJI and CLE Mailing List


Become an ALJ or Hearing Officer

Administrative Law Judges

OATH’s mission is to provide fair and timely hearings. This is achieved through independent adjudication and creative problem-solving. An Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) adjudicates cases involving different subject matter areas, including civil service law, zoning and land use, licensing, conflicts of interest, city contracts, human rights law and vehicle seizures. OATH ALJs maintain the highest standards of ethics, both professionally and personally and are appointed by the Chief Administrative Law Judge for a term of five years.

Administrative Law Judges:

• Conduct formal hearings pursuant to federal, state, and local law
• Prepare written decisions that include a summary and analysis of evidentiary and legal issues
• Presides at pre-trial settlement conferences
• Supervises law clerks and secretarial staff

Qualifications include the admission to practice law for at least five years in the State of New York and five years of recent full-time relevant legal experience subsequent to Bar Admission (or a satisfactory equivalent).

Per Session Hearing Officer

A per session Hearing Officer conducts hearings at various offices city wide. They are responsible for writing decisions in cases involving alleged violations of local laws, the rules and regulations of the City of New York , or other laws or rules within OATH’s Hearings Division Jurisdiction. Additionally, Hearing Officers in the Appeals Unit assist in the review and preparation of appeals decisions.

Cases Seen by Per Session Hearing Officers:

• Violations involving cleanliness of the streets;
• Disposal of waste;
• Street vendors;
• Restaurant, public health and environmental sanitation cases brought under the City Health Code;
• Parks property;
• Air, noise and water pollution cases;
• The Building and Fire Code violations; and
• Violations of the laws and rules governing taxi, limousine, para-transit and commuter van services.

Qualifications include a license to practice law in the State of New York and three years of recent satisfactory relevant legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar.