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Post by thedude on Mar 11, 2008 14:33:51 GMT -5
I would assume that Odarite was referring to the historical reference relating to the opinion of some within the AALJ ranks. Just my opinion but such a reminder is not constructive to the incoming judges. They should be allowed to decide for themselves without any preconceptions one way or the other. I would bet that most will find that the quality of the ODAR attorneys is no different from any other legal practice - there are good and bad, excellent and mediocre, whether insider or outsider.
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tater
Full Member
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Post by tater on Mar 11, 2008 14:53:22 GMT -5
Another minor point regarding "the apathy of some aljs is appalling." Let me tell you, the "apathy" [to put it mildly] of many attorneys in this agency is beyond belief. Most of the attorneys in my hearing office produce work that, considered purely as expository writing, would not deserve a passing grade in 10th grade English; this is not an exaggeration. This quality of work has been tolerated in all cases for years and in some cases for decades. Several of these employees were hired as temporaries: they did not even have to be fired--they could just have been told sorry, your term is up. Instead, here they are, apparently for as long as they want to be. It is not just ALJs who in effect get lifetime appointments when OHA/ODAR hires them. SO true extang, but the attorneys are support staff and the alj is the main guy. It is he that signs the 10th grade decisions. Because of being numbers driven, the attorneys and other writers do not have the luxury of a real legal opinion with appropriate legal jargon. Legally defensible is all you are suspose to get, and of curse, sometimes you do not even get that... |
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Post by deltajudge on Mar 11, 2008 19:57:37 GMT -5
8-)I keep throwing stuff out for whatever it's worth. I know things are different in so many ways than when I came on board many years ago. I came off the street, with absolutely no experience with Social Security. I took the examination, got on the register, interviewed by a panel selected by the civil service commission, placed on the register of eligibles, and got selected. Never saw a soul with BHA/SSA until I reported for training in Arlington, VA. I had six weeks of training there, and got a good idea of what I was getting into. I quickly decided that I had died and gone to heaven. Having practiced law and been a Worker's Comp Judge, this was nothing, and 30 years didn't change my mind. The main thing is dealing with people. I had to deal with people one on one for all the years I was in the private sector in several positions, legal and non-legal. So even though you are now the "Judge" with your robe, you will either be on a tv screen or in informal surrounds, so adjust accordingly and don't be an ass and treat everyone with respect. Hopefully you will have enough staff to help you get your cases out, and all I can tell you, is do your job the best you can, because the claimants need you.
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Post by deadwood on Mar 12, 2008 8:14:15 GMT -5
So even though you are now the "Judge" with your robe, you will either be on a tv screen or in informal surrounds, so adjust accordingly and don't be an ass and treat everyone with respect. Hopefully you will have enough staff to help you get your cases out, and all I can tell you, is do your job the best you can, because the claimants need you. Some of the best advice that I've read thus far! |
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