Job Information
State of Arkansas ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE in Little Rock, Arkansas
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
Date: Apr 14, 2026
Req ID: 56706
Location:
Little Rock, AR, US, 72227
Category: AR PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Anticipated Starting Salary: 114390
This position is assigned to the Commissioners' Advisory Staff, and serves as both an Administrative Law Judge, assigned dockets for adjudication, as well as a legal advisor to the Commissioners. This role includes considerable reading, writing, and researching, as well as verbal briefings to Commissioners.
Position Information
Job Series:Attorneys – Competitive
Classification:Administrative Law Judge
Class Code:LAT01C
Pay Grade:SPC08
Salary Range:$114,390 - $169,298
Job Summary
The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) serves as an impartial decision-maker in administrative hearings, overseeing disputes between government agencies, businesses, and individuals. This role requires strong legal acumen, judicial temperament, and the ability to interpret and apply Arkansas statutes, administrative regulations, and case law. The ALJ conducts fair and unbiased hearings, issues well-reasoned decisions, and ensures compliance with due process standards and state laws.
Primary Responsibilities
Preside over administrative hearings and adjudications involving state laws, agency regulations, and public disputes. Ensure fair and impartial proceedings by maintaining order, managing testimony, and ruling on evidentiary matters. Review case files, pleadings, and legal briefs, ensuring that parties have an equal opportunity to present evidence and arguments. Evaluate legal issues, apply statutes, regulations, and judicial precedents, and issue rulings in accordance with Arkansas law. Conduct comprehensive legal research to support rulings and determinations. Prepare written decisions, orders, and recommendations that are clear, legally sound, and well-reasoned. Provide guidance and recommendations on procedural rule changes to state agencies. Ensure adherence to state ethics laws, public transparency requirements, and judicial conduct standards. Explain legal procedures, rules of evidence, and hearing protocols to non-attorney participants. Conduct mediations, settlement conferences, or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings, when applicable.
Knowledge and Skills
Extensive knowledge of Arkansas administrative law, agency regulations, and constitutional principles. Proficiency in statutory interpretation, legal research, and drafting judicial opinions. Strong understanding of evidence rules, hearing procedures, and appellate processes. Experience in government law, regulatory enforcement, or administrative litigation. Excellent legal writing skills for rulings, decisions, and procedural guidance; clear oral communication for hearings and stakeholder discussions. Ability to mediate disputes, facilitate settlements, and de-escalate confrontations in high-stakes cases. Ability to prioritize caseloads, manage multiple hearings, and meet deadlines for decisions.
Minimum Qualifications
Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, plus five years of experience in conducting administrative law hearings.
Licensure/Certifications
Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Any of the following or combination of the following would likely be preferred, though not required: utility industry experience; accounting, finance, or economics experience or education; administrative law or regulatory law experience; judicial clerk experience; appellate brief-writing experience.
Nearest Major Market:Little Rock