Page 41: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q3 2014)

www.maritimeprofessional.com | Maritime Professional | 41How he got there: Chief Judge Brudzinski was initially appointed U.S. Ad- ministrative Law Judge in 1996 with the Social Security Ad- ministration. He was previously an Assistant and later Deputy Commonwealth?s Attorney for Virginia Beach. Prior to his prosecutorial career, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a commissioned of cer both a oat and ashore and in various legal assignments as a judge advocate. During his last judge advocate assignment, he also served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. He is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Maryland and the George Mason University School of Law (with distinction) where he was a member of Law Re- view. Chief Judge Brudzinski also holds a Master?s and Ph.D. in Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada and has earned Certi cates in Judicial Development in Administrative Law, Dispute Resolution, and General Jurisdiction Trial Skills from the National Judicial College. He attributes his success as a Coast Guard Judge to his litigation background, Coast Guard experience, the professional training programs at the National Judicial College, and the academically rigorous Ju- dicial Studies Program at the University of Nevada. As Coast Guard?s Chief Administrative Law Judge, he is widely published and has authored many articles in a wide variety of venues, trade journals and other publications. Chief Judge Brudzinski was admitted to practice in Virginia, Mary- land, and Pennsylvania; the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and, the Supreme Court of the United States. His professional af lia-tions include the American Bar Association ? Judicial Divi- sion; the Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference; the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary; the Maritime Law Association of the United States; and, the Con- necticut Maritime Association. Vision for Leading the Program: Chief Judge Brudzinski?s vision for the Coast Guard ALJ Program is simple: ?We are dedicated to performing our judi-cial duties fairly, impartially, and in a manner that secures the trust and con dence of the regulated community, the agency, and the general public. We secure that trust and con dence by treating the parties with respect and by issuing clear decisions and orders the public understands and accepts as correct, fair, and well-reasoned.? Brudzinski?s vision re ects the ALJ?s Organizational Goals which promise fast, impartial, and well reasoned judicial services; to clarify agency policy concerning cases brought before them; to promote con dence in the administrative ad- judicative process; and, to create an atmosphere in which the parties recognize they have been dealt with fairly. To maintain the highest standards of quality in their written decisions, Coast Guard Judges receive training at the National Judicial College. They also subject their written work prod- ucts to rigorous editing and review to ensure legal suf ciency and clarity. Of note are two ongoing initiatives being addressed by Coast Guard judges. The  rst initiative is to further ensure due process for unrepresented mariner-respondents. Brudzin- ski says, ?We do this by facilitating opportunities for them to obtain representation from attorneys that have previously in- dicated to us they are willing to represent mariners at no cost.? The second initiative is to have Coast Guard attorneys appear at hearings on a regular basis, in addition to the Investigating Of cer. Brudzinski explains, ?Coast Guard S&R proceedings are adversarial and our experience has shown that the process works best when both sides are represented by counsel. These two initiatives will improve the overall quality of the S&R process and we expect them to be  nalized in the near future.? 34-49 Q3 MP2014.indd 4134-49 Q3 MP2014.indd 418/13/2014 3:49:25 PM8/13/2014 3:49:25 PM