Judicial Officer John Walk
Judicial Officer John Walk was appointed Judicial Officer by Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, on December 20, 2020. The Judicial Officer is a general officer of USDA (7 C.F.R. § 2.4).
Judicial Officer Walk acts as the final deciding officer in USDA adjudicatory proceedings subject to 5 U.S.C §§ 556 and 557 (the Administrative Procedure Act) and other proceedings listed in 7 C.F.R. § 2.35. Judicial Officer Walk decides appeals of initial decisions and orders of USDA Administrative Law Judges and issues orders in reparation proceedings seeking damages.
Judicial Officer Walk has served in the federal government for over 20 years in various organizations. His prior federal experience before joining USDA includes service as agency counsel defending against litigation filed in federal court concerning diverse subject matters. He also provided legal counsel involving administrative law, federal regulations, constitutional law, national security, and trade.
Judicial Officer Walk is a native of Seattle, Washington. He received his bachelor’s degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California and Juris Doctor from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington, Virginia.