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How an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 23-1021.00: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing OfficersMedian pay $117,860/year (BLS, May 2025)14 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Adjudications Specialist, Adjudicator, Administrative Hearings Officer, Administrative Judge, Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Examiner, Appeals Referee, Claims Adjudicator, Hearings Officer, Workers' Compensation Hearings Officer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 17%AI-assist 32%Stays human 51%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 2 AI-ready, 6 AI-assist and 6 human-led tasks out of 14. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Prepare written opinions and decisions.Write it up · Daily
Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.Look into it · Daily
Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.Explain it clearly · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.Lead people · Daily
Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.Make the call · Daily
Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.Make the call · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 2

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Prepare written opinions and decisions.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to prepare written opinions and decisions.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word.
Case: [type, no names]
Findings and law: [summary]

Draft a decision structure: issues, facts, analysis, ruling. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Written decision draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare written opinions and decisions (today).

Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Findings and law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3The decision and reasoning are yours. Verify every legal citation.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare written decisions for legal proceedings..

Schedule hearings.

Weekly

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to schedule hearings.

Context: We use SAP software and Adobe Acrobat.
Calendar: [judge, hearings]
Items: [cases, meetings, deadlines]

Organize a schedule and flag conflicts. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Court calendar

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you schedule hearings (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Calendar] and [Items] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Coordinate legal schedules or activities..

AI can help you prep these 6

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.

Daily

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 34% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.

Context: We use LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters Westlaw; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Facts: [key facts, no names]
Jurisdiction and issue: [where, legal question]

Outline relevant precedents and statutes to look up, how each might apply, likely outcomes and risks. I will verify every authority.

10-minute exercise: Assess a case from precedent

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research and analyze laws, regulations and policies (today).

Step 2Fill in [Facts] and [Jurisdiction and issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every case it names. Discard any you can't find. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.. Also involves: Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records.; Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making..

Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.

Weekly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 39% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.

Context: We use Courtroom scheduling software; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Question: [client's issue, no names]
Law: [area, jurisdiction]

Organize the issues, likely options and questions to research. A lawyer gives the advice. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Legal advice prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide legal advice to clients..

Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.

Context: We use LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters Westlaw; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Records: [describe or paste the public or personal records, private details removed]
Issue to assess: [ownership, compliance, liability]

Summarize what the records establish, inconsistencies, issues needing follow-up, and the legal questions to research. Note what a professional must verify.

10-minute exercise: Review records for legal issues

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you review and evaluate data on documents (this week).

Step 2Paste or describe it in [Records] and state the [Issue to assess].

Step 3Check each issue it raises against the actual records and law.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records.. Also involves: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making..

Confer with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.

Weekly

AI helps you prepare questions; the listening is yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare better questions and to organize your notes afterward. Listening to the person in front of you is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to confer with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.

Context: We use Courtroom scheduling software; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Matter: [claim or case type]
Person: [claimant, witness, party]

Write questions to establish facts, timeline and documents, plus follow-ups and cautions. Order the questions sensibly, add follow-ups for vague answers, and give me a note-taking template.

10-minute exercise: Interview for a legal matter

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with individuals or organizations (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Person] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Review the questions with your supervising attorney.

Don't record people or paste their answers into AI without consent and your employer's approval.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Interview claimants to get information related to legal proceedings..

Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.

Monthly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.

Context: We use Courtroom scheduling software; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Question: [client's issue, no names]
Law: [area, jurisdiction]

Organize the issues, likely options and questions to research. A lawyer gives the advice. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Legal advice prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise.

Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Provide legal advice to clients..

Conduct studies of appeals procedures in field agencies to ensure adherence to legal requirements and to facilitate determination of cases.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to conduct studies of appeals procedures in field agencies to ensure adherence to legal requirements and to facilitate determination of cases.

Context: We use LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters Westlaw; the work draws on law and government and administrative.
Legal question: [the question, jurisdiction]
Facts: [key facts, no names]

Outline the relevant statutes, regulations and leading cases to look up, the arguments on each side, and search terms for legal databases. Mark anything you're unsure of. I will verify every citation.

10-minute exercise: Legal research brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct studies of appeals procedures.

Step 2Fill in [Legal question] and [Facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every citation it gives in your legal database. AI can invent cases. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making..

These stay human 6

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Impact of decisions: very important results · Frequency of decisions: every day · Dealing with the public: very important · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day

Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Hearing: [type]
Procedures: [rules]

Prepare a run sheet and procedural reminders. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Courtroom procedure prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings (today).

Step 2Fill in [Hearing] and [Procedures] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct courtroom activities or procedures..

Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.

Daily

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
The matter: [complaint, proposal or violation, no names]
Positions so far: [what each side argues]
Rules of procedure: [the rules I must follow]

Summarize each side's strongest argument, the questions I should ask, evidence that would settle it, and procedural points to watch. Don't tell me the outcome.

10-minute exercise: Prepare for a hearing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct hearings (today).

Step 2Fill in [The matter], [Positions so far] and [Rules of procedure].

Step 3Use the question list in your prep, then decide on the record. The judgment stays with you. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Conduct hearings to investigate legal issues..

Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.

Weekly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Motion or objection: [describe]
Rules: [evidence rules]

Summarize arguments and applicable rules. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Evidence ruling prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you rule on exceptions, motions and admissibility of evidence (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Motion or objection] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Rule on admissibility of legal proceedings..

Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.

Weekly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Case: [type, no names]
Evidence and law: [summary]

Organize findings of fact, applicable law and the questions to resolve. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Liability decision prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine existence and amount of liability (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Evidence and law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Make decisions in legal cases..

Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Proceeding: [hearing, court]
Oath: [standard text]

Prepare the script and procedure. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Oath administration

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you issue subpoenas (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Oath] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Administer oaths to court participants.. Also involves: Prepare legal documents..

Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.

Monthly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Claim: [type, amount, no names]
Evidence and rules: [findings, law]

Organize the evidence for validity and amount; list open questions. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Claim payment decision prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you authorize payment of valid claims.

Step 2Fill in [Claim] and [Evidence and rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Authorize payments to settle legal disputes.. Also involves: Make decisions in legal cases..

Get the full prompt pack for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Active Listeningimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Critical Thinkingimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Active Learningimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Writingimportance 4.2/5
Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
Speakingimportance 4.1/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Social Perceptivenessimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Monitoringimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates78% human-led · Same preparation · $153,990/yr · usually doctoral degree
Skills to build: Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Critical Thinking
Lawyers35% human-led · Same preparation · $159,670/yr · usually doctoral degree
Skills to build: Persuasion, Negotiation, Time Management

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 1 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Review new case law or changes in laws or regulations to stay current on legal precedent.

New in O*NET

AI is a patient tutor for new rules and techniques.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a patient personal tutor. It explains new rules, techniques and technology at your level, quizzes you and builds a study plan.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an administrative law judge / adjudicator / hearing officer. Part of my job is to review new case law or changes in laws or regulations to stay current on legal precedent.

Context: The work draws on law and government and administrative.
Act as my tutor.
Topic: [a recent change in new case law or changes]
What I already know: [your level]

Explain it in 5 short sections with examples from law and government and administrative. Then quiz me with 5 questions, one at a time, and wait for my answer before giving feedback. End with 3 trustworthy sources to go deeper.

10-minute exercise: Tutor session: new case law or changes

Step 1Pick one development in new case law or changes you've been meaning to understand.

Step 2Put it in [Topic], be honest in [What I already know], and actually answer the quiz.

Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source, since AI's knowledge has a cutoff date.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Doctoral degree is most common (37% of workers)

Certificate or some college 11%
Associate's 11%
Bachelor's 20%
Graduate degree 58%

On-the-job training: 3–6 months
Related experience: 4–6 years
Professional certification: important (3.7/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe AcrobatMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSAP software