The hearing office in Portland has lost an administrative law judge. Judge Stephen Ponticiello left the Portland ODAR this Summer, to return to the Department of Justice. We wish him well. On a personal note, while I only had a few hearings with Judge Ponticiello, I really liked the way that he made claimants feel comfortable at the hearing.

Visiting judge Virginia Kuhn, a Hartford Connecticut ALJ, has been deciding Portland claims all year. She will continue to hear Portland claims until (I assume) a new judge is permanently assigned to the Portland ODAR.