Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Staff Office

Office of Hearings and Appeals

OHA's mission is to plan, coordinate, and provide administrative support for NAD, OALJ, and OJO.

The mission of the Office of Hearing and Appeals (OHA) is to plan, coordinate, and provide administrative support for the National Appeals Division (NAD), the Office of the Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), and the Office of the Judicial Officer (OJO).  OHA promotes fairness, transparency, and consistency in NAD, OALJ, and OJO proceedings through the planning, coordination, and administration of office-wide activities and initiatives.

The OHA was established in 2017 to consolidate three previously separate entities: NAD, OALJ, and OJO.

Previously, OALJ and OJO were offices under Departmental Administration, and NAD was an independent office that reported to the Secretary of Agriculture.  The reorganization consolidated administrative support for the three USDA entities that adjudicate first and second-level hearings and appeals at USDA.  After consolidation, NAD, OALJ, and OJO continues to conduct proceedings under their respective legal authorities.

Sub-Centers and Sub-Offices

National Appeals Division
NAD is an office that reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and is, by law, independent from the direction and control of any other agency within USDA.
NAD
Office of the Judicial Officer
The mission of the Office of the Judicial Officer is to review carefully the record in each proceeding and to issue expeditiously a fair, clear, well-reasoned final USDA decision, which is consistent with law and USDA policy.
OJO
Office of Administrative Law Judges
The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) conducts rulemaking and adjudicatory hearings throughout the United States in proceedings subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 551 et seq. 
OALJ

Trending News and Updates

Press Release
USDA Continues Historic Commitment, Partnering with Rural Communities on Clean, Affordable Energy
Latest Investments Will Lower Costs and Support Jobs in 30 States
Learn More
Press Release
USDA Invests in Additional Domestic Biofuels and Clean Energy Projects to Lower Costs and Increase American Energy Security Across the Nation
Part of Today’s Announcement is Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
Learn More
Press Release
U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces 15 Additional States Onboard With National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1, Shares Update on Vaccination Efforts
USDA APHIS Shares Fifteen New States Joining the NMTS and Critical Updates on HPAI Vaccines Across Species
Learn More
Press Release
El Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. anuncia que 15 estados más se suman a la estrategia nacional de análisis de leche para H5N1 y comparte información actualizada sobre los esfuerzos de vacunación
El USDA APHIS comparte información sobre la incorporación de quince nuevos estados al NMTS y actualizaciones importantes sobre las vacunas contra la IAAP en todas las especies
Learn More

AskUSDA

One central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.

Ask.USDA.gov
1-833-ONE-USDA
Ask a Question