Indian-American sworn in as Administrative Law Judge of Maryland

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Hunt Valley, Maryland: Indian-American Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) of the District of Columbia, Gwenlynn D’Souza joined 10 other newly appointed judges in taking the oath, as Administrative Law Judges of Maryland, on October 30, 2023, at an Investiture Ceremony conducted by the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

The 10 other ALJs were Judge Andrew Brouwer, Judge Jennifer Burroughs, Judge Tyrone Crosby, Judge Carlton Curry, Judge Angela Diehl, Judge Tracee Fruman, Judge John Hart, Judge Katlyn Hodges, Judge Michael Jacko, and Judge Sha’Donna Osborne.

Noting that it was an honor to administer the oath to this accomplished and impressive group of individuals, Chief Administrative Law Judge Chung K. Pak, in his address, said, “The Office of Administrative Hearings was lucky to have such a diverse and talented pool of candidates to choose from when deciding to increase our Administrative Law Judges ranks… Today, they take the oath for what is one of the best and most challenging jobs in Maryland State government.”

Chief Judge Pak, who also presented certificates to the new ALJs, said these ALJs were chosen after three competitive rounds of vetting process. He said that they bring diverse professional backgrounds to OAH’s team – from private practice, regulatory fields, and other state and federal government agencies.

“The ALJs are tasked with providing fair, flexible, and impartial due process to any citizen or entity that seeks to challenge the action of a state agency. ALJs perform this duty with a high level of competence and professionalism as they hear the case, determine the facts, apply the law, and render the decision,” added Chief Judge Pak.

According to him, OAH’s decisions significantly affect the lives of Maryland’s residents across various sectors including mental health, medical treatment, employment, public safety, education, consumer protection and other important areas.

Judge D’Souza, who joins the Maryland’s OAH after an extensive career as both an ALJ and a private sector attorney told News India Times, “I am excited to be an Administrative Law Judge and have this opportunity to address justice on so many important issues in the State of Maryland. Previously, as an Administrative Law Judge for nine years in the District of Columbia, I decided Workers’ Compensation Cases.”

Judge D’Souza, who was born in Chennai, India, and moved to the US in the early 1970s, said her parents believed in hard work and providing good education. Shortly after their arrival, her father started an air conditioning company, and her mother worked as his secretary.

“Working during the summers as a bookkeeper at his company was my first job during my teen years. Later, my mother worked for The Catholic University of America, and I was able to attend and receive tuition benefits,” Judge D’Souza added. “After I became an attorney, my mother began working for the State of Maryland as a court clerk. In the late 1990s, I followed my father’s example by setting up my own business, a law practice. Today, I am proud to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a State of Maryland employee.”

A 1994 graduate of The Catholic University of America and the Columbus School of Law, in Washington D.C., Judge D’Souza, during her tenure in the private sector, focused on employment law. In her solo practice, she advocated for clients in legal proceedings spanning federal, state, and local courts as well as administrative agencies.

She also served as the District Director for the National Association of Women Judges and has been honored with the Chair’s Award for Exceptional Service from the Maryland State Bar Association Litigation Section. Additionally, she received the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association Award for Outstanding Service.

Judge D’Souza has written legal publications including a chapter on select procedural differences in federal and state rules of the Maryland State Bar Association Employment Law Deskbook (2014 ed.) and another chapter on special evidentiary concerns of the American Bar Association Employment Litigation Handbook (2010 ed.).

Judge D’Souza was raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and has been living there with her husband and two children.