About the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ)
What We Do
The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is an independent office in EPA's Office of Mission Support. The Administrative Law Judges conduct hearings and render decisions in proceedings between the EPA and persons, businesses, government entities, and other organizations that are, or are alleged to be, regulated under environmental laws.
Administrative Law Judges preside in enforcement and permit proceedings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Most enforcement actions initiated by the EPA are for the assessment of civil penalties. The Administrative Law Judges also conduct hearings and render decisions in appeals from determinations of the EPA's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in complaints of violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and of the EPA's implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 7. The Part 7 procedures and further information regarding OCR and the Title VI complaint process are posted on EPA's Civil Rights website.
All litigants before the Administrative Law Judges are offered the opportunity to resolve enforcement cases through alternative dispute resolution with a neutral mediator.
Federal administrative law judges are certified by the Office of Personnel Management and appointed in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 3105. They have decisional independence pursuant to Section 557 of the APA, 5 U.S.C. § 557, which ensures the fair and impartial resolution of proceedings.
Decisions issued by the Administrative Law Judges are subject to review by the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB). An Administrative Law Judge's initial decision, which is a disposition of all of the issues in a proceeding, becomes the final order of the EPA within 45 days after service upon the parties, unless a party appeals to the EAB, or the EAB on its own initiative elects to review the initial decision.
Mailing address:
If filing by UPS, FedEx, DHL or other courier, or personal delivery, address to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Administrative Law Judges
William Jefferson Clinton Building West
1301 Constitution Ave, NW, Rm. 4117
Washington, DC 20004
If filing by the United States Postal Service, address to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Administrative Law Judges
Mail Code 1900T
William Jefferson Clinton East Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
OALJ Organization
Honorable Michael B. Wright
Judge Wright joined EPA in September 2010 as a staff attorney in the Office of Administrative Law Judges. He later served as a supervisory attorney. He was appointed to serve as an Administrative Law Judge in December 2023. Prior to joining the EPA, he worked as a trial lawyer in private practice and as a deputy district attorney in Sacramento, California. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. Judge Wright received his law degree from Tulane University School of Law.