Eric, The term "administrative law judge" is always good for a chuckle over here. It reminds me so much of the "facilities engineers" who mop the floors in public school buildings. It was some time after 1977, I think, that all the hearing examiners became administrative law judges and were, therefore extremely worthy of being held in awe. I suppose they got more dough out of it; that's the usual reason for elevation of title.