Location of 50-150 new ALJs?

[cinderella]

Ok, as I read the transfer wish list, and other threads about placing ALJs depending on some combination of backlog, pending per ALJ, empty offices, and politics- I started thinking: Where the heck are they going to place up to (possibly) 150 ALJs? If 20-50 go to some new Video hearing site, and 100-130+ are left....? Some say no ALJs to Region I, none to the left coast, and looks like New Mexico, Colorado, and most of Texas are "full"- where will ALJs go? Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio? I know it's all speculation at this point, and I do have math anxiety, but with all the "NOs, full-ups, and they aren't placing there" we're reading about, I can't imagine. Anybody really know?

[workdrone]

cinderella said:

Anybody really know?

At this point, I don't think so. The transfer list is like a musical chair, and you really don't know who's going to end up where until it's done. And add in the games ODAR can play with the order they fill the hearing offices, I think the only thing candidates can really do is keep their fingers crossed.

[aljsouth]

Like you I don't know where they will end up. As you pointed out there are a lot of rumors. The hires will be in two to three waves -- another rumor. Supposedly Region 4 will get a good number of hires. I suspect places with space and backlogs will be targeted--but there will still be some politics at play.

I doubt 20 judges will be put in the new VTC unit initially, the staffing of a large office will be problematical. It will do little good if local HO's are required to pull the cases for the VTC unit--this is where the problem is in many of the backloged sites -- not enough resources to pull the cases being filed. That does not mean the agency will not do it, or that the plan is not for a very large VTC unit in the future.

As the process unfolds I hope people will post the offer they receive or that they know have been made. It will helpful to others. If I ever see or hear a list of places being given judges, I will post it.

[anotheroldtimer]

Normally, they like to hire classes no bigger than 50-60 at a time, because it is so difficult to deal with a larger group during training. Very costly. I think that the Commissioner has promised Congress some hiring so there should be at least a couple of classes. As part of the training cadre, I have not been given any heads up as to a time frame to be available, which they usually do. My team leader seems to believe that early spring is the soonest it can happen.

Again, look to the sites that are most difficult to fill. Those are usually the ones left after the transfers are approved. The PR offices, Fargo, Tupelo, etc. And all the Louisiana offices need judges. This will be the CALJ's first big time deal, and I think he will try to do it right.

There does not seem to be much impetus for the national hearing office other than to just get it off the ground with 7-8 judges and a small staff. Since they are going to do efiles and VTC, workup could be done anywhere there is a processing unit.

[shadow]

Think there will openings in the KC area [MO or KS side] or even Wichita or Topeka? How about Minnesota? Thanks everyone for the great posts.

[learnedhand]

Topeka does not have a hearing office. Wish it did.

[chris]

shadow said:

Think there will openings in the KC area [MO or KS side] or even Wichita or Topeka? How about Minnesota? Thanks everyone for the great posts. :)

Wichita has one of the highest backlogs (percentage wise--not total numbers) so there certainly might be an opening there.

[shadow]

Thanks very much Chris. While I would prefer to remain in KC, Wichita would be good. Does anyone have any thoughts on Minnesota or Iowa?

[chris]

Since the allsup state list says Iowa has only the 37th worst backlog, the Des Moines office may be pretty low on the list for adding new ALJs. Minnesota is 32nd so it's also probably not a leading contender for more judges (keeping in mind that politics and office space may have more impact than backlog statistics on adding new judges). Nebraska however has the 17th worst backlog so it might be a better bet for adding judges. Michigan and Ohio look like locks for getting new judges.

Chris

[shadow]

Thanks again, Chris. What are your thoughts on new judges going to the hearing office in KC, Kansas? I'm an SSA OGC attorney that has been in KC for many years - getting to like it here. I did say I would go anywhere [checked all the boxes] - who knows where I would end up if they hire me?!

[aljsouth]

shadow said:

Thanks again, Chris. What are your thoughts on new judges going to the hearing office in KC, Kansas? I'm an SSA OGC attorney that has been in KC for many years - getting to like it here. I did say I would go anywhere [checked all the boxes] - who knows where I would end up if they hire me?!

K.C. has over 1000 pending per judge. Springfield has the highest in the region, then Wichita, then West Des Moines.

[shadow]

Thanks aljsouth.

[learnedhand]

Shadow, that hearing office has moved to the 20th and Grand area in KCMO. I understand they have subsidized parking for about 2 years and then it is supposed to be quite expensive, with very little on street parking in the area.

[shadow]

Thanks very much learnedhand. Parking won't be a problem - you know we're getting light rail in KC any day now. . .lol.

[oldenough]

This may be disheartening but the fact is that of the considerations for new placements the issue of empty offices is paramount; especially as we are moving to electronic files and video hearings. It has always been the case that workload takes a second to the issue of whether they have an office to stick the judge in.

Of course, many years ago, in a flurry of affirmative action, the agency hired judges where 1- they didn't need them, and 2- they had no space. So some offices had to move or adopt annexes.

So there's no real telling what's going to motivate the choices of where to place people.

Good luck to all.

[chris]

learnedhand said:

Shadow, that hearing office has moved to the 20th and Grand area in KCMO. I understand they have subsidized parking for about 2 years and then it is supposed to be quite expensive, with very little on street parking in the area.

A difficult area for a commute too. I was considering KC but ultimately took it off my list because of my concerns about the location.

[aljsouth]

Chris used personal knowledge of KC and carefull consideration to eliminate a site. As much as I usally preach more is better, this is a good example of site elimination. For Chis, the commute and other issues known about caused Chis to eliminate a site.

Knowing I have become a bore about keeping as many sites as possible on the list, candidates should not keep a site if after long thought and using knowledge (not impressions) they simply find the thought of living there unacceptable. Don't be one of those miserable judges at the training that spend their time trying to transfer. While I can often be critical of ODAR, they do make it clear you may be at a site for years or for your whole judgeship.

September is almost gone, I expect sometime late next month or early Nov. the list will come out.

[doctorwho]

chris said:

learnedhand said:

Shadow, that hearing office has moved to the 20th and Grand area in KCMO. I understand they have subsidized parking for about 2 years and then it is supposed to be quite expensive, with very little on street parking in the area.

A difficult area for a commute too. I was considering KC but ultimately took it off my list because of my concerns about the location.

I'm curious, what is "expensive parking" in Kansas City? In DC, $15.00 for the whole day is not uncommmon. In New York, $45.00.

[shadow]

I now park for free at the Richard Bolling Federal Building in KC, but when I last paid to park nearby, five or six years ago, it was only about $2 or $3 a day to park in a seedy outdoor lot. Crime is pretty bad in the downtown area, mostly cars getting broken into or stolen, but some robberies and assaults.

Private developers have built a nice new inside parking garage near the Federal Building that probably has better security, but I don't have a clue what it costs, or what it now costs to park on the outdoor lots around town. The government has been talking about building more secure parking for federal employees in the downtown area, but nothing has come of it so far.

I'm not sure what the parking is like near the ODAR facility in KC, MO - have never been there. Good luck to you.

[learnedhand]

Dr. Who, when I worked in downtown KCMO I parked at the covered garage near City Center Square for $80 per month. I have heard figures like $200 per month mentioned when the parking subsidy expires in the bldg with the new ODAR office.