Advisory Group Formed to Develop Code of Ethics

In response to the recent Charter amendment calling for the promulgation of rules establishing a uniform code of professional conduct for administrative law judges and hearing officers serving in City tribunals, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman and OATH Chief Judge Roberto Velez convened the ALJ Ethics Code Advisory Committee. The committee, comprised of City tribunal heads, Law Department representatives, state court administrators, and experts in the field of ethics, is charged with developing comprehensive proposals for a uniform code of conduct that would apply to all City ALJs and hearing officers. Chief Judge Velez noted that "the work of the committee will lead to the adoption of the first professional conduct standards for the City's administrative justice system." The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposal prior to adoption pursuant to the rulemaking provisions of the City Administrative Procedure Act.