TACOMA’S #1 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING ATTORNEY

The first question most people have when they call our office is “What is an Administrative Hearing”? The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is a court for government agency legal matters. The judges and commissioners are neutral third parties assigned to help individuals and agencies resolve legal disagreements. You can learn more about OAH by checking out their handout.

WHY DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR AN OAH ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING?

If you disagree with an action taken by a public agency you may have to appear at the Office of Administrative Hearings to address the matter. A judge or commissioner will review the issue at hand and hear both sides before issuing a ruling.  Some of the agencies that hold their hearings at OAH include:

• Professional and Facility Licensing
• Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
• Apple Health
• Welfare and Public Assistance
• Unemployment
• Child Support

The outcome of an OAH hearing will have enforceable legal implications for you. The agency you are up against will have representation. In many cases it will be an experienced lawyer from the State Attorney General’s office.

Since the issues addressed by many of the agencies identified above can impact your health, finances and business, a hearing notice from OAH is something to be taken seriously. An experienced attorney will review your case and help you prepare the best legal argument possible to convey your position to the judge or commissioner and achieve a favorable result.

I ALREADY HAD MY HEARING BUT I DISAGREE WITH THE DECISION

The good news is that you can appeal a ruling issued by an OAH judge. The bad news is that there are strict procedures and deadlines to meet immediately following the ruling if you wish to have the appeal considered. It is critical that you contact and meet with an attorney as soon as possible after your ruling is issued to discuss your case and evaluate your options.

IF I CAN’T AFFORD AN ATTORNEY WILL OAH PROVIDE ONE?

Nope. Unfortunately, like most civil matters, even though the subject matter is serious the court is not in a position to provide an attorney for you if you want one but cannot afford it. For this reason, OAH also has strict policies about providing legal advice. In many cases working with an attorney may be less costly than the financial implications that come with losing or partially losing a case. It is a good idea to at least schedule a consultation with an attorney who has experience practicing at The Office of Administrative Hearings to review your options.

Our law firm has proudly represented many clients in OAH hearings. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED WASHINGTON STATE BUSINESS ATTORNEY

An experienced business attorney can help you protect your personal and business assets to keep your business compliant. Call us today to learn more about what our firm can do for you.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided above is intended to be a general discussion of common business regulatory issues, and is not intended to be taken as specific legal advice that applies to your individual fact situation. Always seek legal counsel for advice on your unique case needs.