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Post by luckylady2 on Jan 23, 2016 14:27:48 GMT -5
Oh, Tiger! you will be missed - probably more than you know. I do hope I get to cross paths with you someday - even just to swap Memphis stories. Best wishes.
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Post by luckylady2 on Jan 23, 2016 14:31:29 GMT -5
Grace - Thank you for your kind words. But, FYI, I'm not an ALJ. For reasons that were very good 3 years ago, I had a very small GAL. I'm really hoping that with the GAL expansion I will get The Call.
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Post by Gaidin on Jan 23, 2016 17:02:20 GMT -5
Again thank you for the very kind words. I would say as well including me in such August company is probably the greater compliment.
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Post by luckylady2 on Jan 24, 2016 0:03:49 GMT -5
Grace - You're very kind. I sincerely hope you're right! 
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Post by Propmaster on Jan 25, 2016 11:12:56 GMT -5
In my humble opinion, based upon my very limited time as a member on this board and from an objective outsider standpoint, I believe that the valuable contributions from Tigerlaw;Funkyodar; Judgeratty; ladyluck2; and Pixie as actual ALJs (forgive my oversight in by name inclusion), as well as Gary and Gaidin who possess incredible knowledge and experience (and in God's time will soon be ALJs as well I am confident) should not be distilled or confused by the sophomoric opinions of those who do not possess the same degree of actual knowledge and experience. I can tell you that I was advised by highly knowledgeable and well-respected ALJs that there existed 2 ALJ discussion boards - 1 which appeared to be little more than a place for those nonselected to complain and argue ad nauseum about the process, etc.... and then there was THIS ONE -- which actually focused on the important, pertinent, and practical information beneficial to new applicants as we attempt to navigate the murky and tumultuous waters on our quest to achieve the ever elusive prize of becoming ALJ's... Initially, the distinction between the 2 boards was crystal clear -- in the last few days, I am troubled by the turn of events in which those with actual knowledge, experience, and insight who selflessly share with the masses are having their sage advice and guidance questioned or challenged by those who "believe" they "know and understand" and yet, at the end of the day, they remain non-ALJs who can merely speculate about what it "must be like to be an ALJ!" Honestly, I am a person of few words -- but when I feel compelled to speak up because a valuable resource may be in jeopardy, I cannot stand by in silence. I believe that every one of us has something valuable to contribute and am grateful to learn from everyone --that said, I have never been a fan of people voicing opinions or offering guidance about subject matter of which they have no expertise or actual knowledge. So, I apologize for reciting the Gettysburg Address to make my point which simply stated is "it is easy to talk the talk" and quite another to "walk the walk" -- my druthers if someone has to "get off the island" would be for those who have only opinion and conjecture and at the end of the day become irrelevant detractors ---well, I choose that they leave and head over to the other board and that the true MVPs remain solidly entrenched because we all stand to benefit from them if we have not already! Let us all maintain a commitment to preserving the value and integrity of this awesome board -- pinky swear! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would first like to console you with the realization that people come and go (and come again). As stated earlier in the thread, Goodbye Tiger. You will be missed. I still miss ALJFAQ, Gunner and DLOTS. Being a Lurker is not bad. I was once for over two years. There are many colorful, knowledgeable, insider, new-ALJ-learning folks that step up to replace any who leave (or take a hiatus). A brief blow-up is not the same as degradation of this board to the status of the other board. Things settle quickly after a hiccup such as we had. Big personalities enter and leave with big fanfare. I also have a response in substance. It is important to have a variety of opinions. In order to learn (well, to get a glimpse - we agree you can never learn it until you have it) the ins and outs of the job of ALJ truly takes input from an ALJ. Things like time management, expectations, the mental pressures of deciding issues that could directly influence life and death of a person. However, that does not mean that a sitting ALJ has superior knowledge on all aspects of his or her job to that of every non-ALJ. Before I came to ODAR, I had thousands of hearings in fronts of over 40 ALJs. When I was an Attorney Advisor, I wrote decisions for tens or a hundred ALJs, through which I saw and heard hearings and decision writing instructions of a wide gamut. In management, I dealt with the intricacies of discipline, and I have witnessed the procedures of ALJ discipline (which exists). I have trained ALJs in aspects of their jobs. Each ALJ has seen or read only a handful of things other than his or her own (unless he or she shares some kind of similar background). If you do not think that even a sitting ALJ can learn best practices from a non-ALJ, or get good tips, or short-cuts, or be corrected in application of the law, then ... well, then I respectfully disagree  You are entitled to your opinion. |
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Post by 71stretch on Jan 25, 2016 11:19:27 GMT -5
In my humble opinion, based upon my very limited time as a member on this board and from an objective outsider standpoint, I believe that the valuable contributions from Tigerlaw;Funkyodar; Judgeratty; ladyluck2; and Pixie as actual ALJs (forgive my oversight in by name inclusion), as well as Gary and Gaidin who possess incredible knowledge and experience (and in God's time will soon be ALJs as well I am confident) should not be distilled or confused by the sophomoric opinions of those who do not possess the same degree of actual knowledge and experience. I can tell you that I was advised by highly knowledgeable and well-respected ALJs that there existed 2 ALJ discussion boards - 1 which appeared to be little more than a place for those nonselected to complain and argue ad nauseum about the process, etc.... and then there was THIS ONE -- which actually focused on the important, pertinent, and practical information beneficial to new applicants as we attempt to navigate the murky and tumultuous waters on our quest to achieve the ever elusive prize of becoming ALJ's... Initially, the distinction between the 2 boards was crystal clear -- in the last few days, I am troubled by the turn of events in which those with actual knowledge, experience, and insight who selflessly share with the masses are having their sage advice and guidance questioned or challenged by those who "believe" they "know and understand" and yet, at the end of the day, they remain non-ALJs who can merely speculate about what it "must be like to be an ALJ!" Honestly, I am a person of few words -- but when I feel compelled to speak up because a valuable resource may be in jeopardy, I cannot stand by in silence. I believe that every one of us has something valuable to contribute and am grateful to learn from everyone --that said, I have never been a fan of people voicing opinions or offering guidance about subject matter of which they have no expertise or actual knowledge. So, I apologize for reciting the Gettysburg Address to make my point which simply stated is "it is easy to talk the talk" and quite another to "walk the walk" -- my druthers if someone has to "get off the island" would be for those who have only opinion and conjecture and at the end of the day become irrelevant detractors ---well, I choose that they leave and head over to the other board and that the true MVPs remain solidly entrenched because we all stand to benefit from them if we have not already! Let us all maintain a commitment to preserving the value and integrity of this awesome board -- pinky swear! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would first like to console you with the realization that people come and go (and come again). As stated earlier in the thread, Goodbye Tiger. You will be missed. I still miss ALJFAQ, Gunner and DLOTS. Being a Lurker is not bad. I was once for over two years. There are many colorful, knowledgeable, insider, new-ALJ-learning folks that step up to replace any who leave (or take a hiatus). A brief blow-up is not the same as degradation of this board to the status of the other board. Things settle quickly after a hiccup such as we had. Big personalities enter and leave with big fanfare. I also have a response in substance. It is important to have a variety of opinions. In order to learn (well, to get a glimpse - we agree you can never learn it until you have it) the ins and outs of the job of ALJ truly takes input from an ALJ. Things like time management, expectations, the mental pressures of deciding issues that could directly influence life and death of a person. However, that does not mean that a sitting ALJ has superior knowledge on all aspects of his or her job to that of every non-ALJ. Before I came to ODAR, I had thousands of hearings in fronts of over 40 ALJs. When I was an Attorney Advisor, I wrote decisions for tens or a hundred ALJs, through which I saw and heard hearings and decision writing instructions of a wide gamut. In management, I dealt with the intricacies of discipline, and I have witnessed the procedures of ALJ discipline (which exists). I have trained ALJs in aspects of their jobs. Each ALJ has seen or read only a handful of things other than his or her own (unless he or she shares some kind of similar background). If you do not think that even a sitting ALJ can learn best practices from a non-ALJ, or get good tips, or short-cuts, or be corrected in application of the law, then ... well, then I respectfully disagree You are entitled to your opinion. Well said, my old forum friend. |
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Post by valkyrie on Jan 25, 2016 11:42:50 GMT -5
See my post in the "Elvis has left the building" post.
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Post by ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) on Feb 4, 2016 16:16:23 GMT -5
Goodbye Tiger. You will be missed. I still miss ALJFAQ, Gunner and DLOTS. Being a Lurker is not bad. I was once for over two years. I hear that ALJFAQ misses you too, and the board. There really is no place like this board that brings together thousands of educated, experienced, mostly caring people for semi-anonymous discussion, banter, and excitement, all in a nearly-troll-free online environment. I also hear ALJFAQ is enjoying life much better as a big law partner and scratching the judicial itch by serving as a judge pro tem/arbitrator from time to time, which is like being an ALJ without the pay cut. So the answer to the $350k question posted by ALJFAQ appears to be: if you are going to make partner, stick with big law; if that doesn't work out, go spin the ALJ wheel of fortune. |
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Post by privateatty on Feb 4, 2016 16:34:14 GMT -5
Goodbye Tiger. You will be missed. I still miss ALJFAQ, Gunner and DLOTS. Being a Lurker is not bad. I was once for over two years. I hear that ALJFAQ misses you too, and the board. There really is no place like this board that brings together thousands of educated, experienced, mostly caring people for semi-anonymous discussion, banter, and excitement, all in a nearly-troll-free online environment. I also hear ALJFAQ is enjoying life much better as a big law partner and scratching the judicial itch by serving as a judge pro tem/arbitrator from time to time, which is like being an ALJ without the pay cut. So the answer to the $350k question posted by ALJFAQ appears to be: if you are going to make partner, stick with big law; if that doesn't work out, go spin the ALJ wheel of fortune. Tell ALJFAQ that (with all due respect) comparing serving as a judge pro tem and doing the job of a federal ALJ are as alike as trying a case second chair to trying it as first chair. Maybe not the best analogy but the one that comes up now... |
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Post by ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) on Feb 4, 2016 17:34:05 GMT -5
I hear that ALJFAQ misses you too, and the board. There really is no place like this board that brings together thousands of educated, experienced, mostly caring people for semi-anonymous discussion, banter, and excitement, all in a nearly-troll-free online environment. I also hear ALJFAQ is enjoying life much better as a big law partner and scratching the judicial itch by serving as a judge pro tem/arbitrator from time to time, which is like being an ALJ without the pay cut. So the answer to the $350k question posted by ALJFAQ appears to be: if you are going to make partner, stick with big law; if that doesn't work out, go spin the ALJ wheel of fortune. Tell ALJFAQ that (with all due respect) comparing serving as a judge pro tem and doing the job of a federal ALJ are as alike as trying a case second chair to trying it as first chair. Maybe not the best analogy but the one that comes up now... Probably not the best analogy because in both cases, you are the only arbiter in the room and calling all the shots. But as a pro tem, it can be a bit more exciting because you are sitting in a real courtroom, trying real cases (including jury trials), and making findings of fact that can only be reviewed for clear error. And the diversity of subject matter is a nice plus, too. So unless you are one of the 10 lucky ALJs in an agency that has more substantive proceedings (ITC, etc.), I would think the two positions are at least on par. |
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Post by privateatty on Feb 4, 2016 19:39:57 GMT -5
Tell ALJFAQ that (with all due respect) comparing serving as a judge pro tem and doing the job of a federal ALJ are as alike as trying a case second chair to trying it as first chair. Maybe not the best analogy but the one that comes up now... Probably not the best analogy because in both cases, you are the only arbiter in the room and calling all the shots. But as a pro tem, it can be a bit more exciting because you are sitting in a real courtroom, trying real cases (including jury trials), and making findings of fact that can only be reviewed for clear error. And the diversity of subject matter is a nice plus, too. So unless you are one of the 10 lucky ALJs in an agency that has more substantive proceedings (ITC, etc.), I would think the two positions are at least on par. I used to think I knew a lot too. |
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Feb 4, 2016 19:42:27 GMT -5
Probably not the best analogy because in both cases, you are the only arbiter in the room and calling all the shots. But as a pro tem, it can be a bit more exciting because you are sitting in a real courtroom, trying real cases (including jury trials), and making findings of fact that can only be reviewed for clear error. And the diversity of subject matter is a nice plus, too. So unless you are one of the 10 lucky ALJs in an agency that has more substantive proceedings (ITC, etc.), I would think the two positions are at least on par. I used to think I knew a lot too. Do not let him push your buttons. Opinions may be ignored especially from those who have no basis to form an opinion. |
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You are entitled to your opinion.
