A Tip of the Hat to Retiring DEA Chief ALJ Mulrooney
July 31, 2025Earlier this week, we posted on the retirement of DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge Judge John J. Mulrooney, II, and the lack of appointed DEA ALJs to hear DEA cases upon his retirement, effective August 1. On a related note, HPM wants to take a moment to recognize Chief Judge Mulrooney’s tenure on the bench. After joining OALJ in 2009, (then) Judge Mulrooney was quickly appointed as the chief judge. In that position, he oversaw the office’s busy tribunal docket and administrative staff. Our HPM attorneys had the privilege of appearing before him in many cases and litigated hearings over the last 16 years. While Chief Judge Mulrooney’s well-known trial standards, fastidiousness to procedure, and expectations for preparedness could put a knot in the stomachs of experienced counsel from all over the country, litigators also knew him for his fairness, his dedication to establishing clear agency precedent, his keen wit from the bench (and in the footnotes), and his commitment to the rule of law. And as a former law clerk, one of us can attest that there was never a better mentor or advisor who sought the best for his law clerks and who modeled dedicated public service.
Chief Judge Mulrooney’s 42-year career in public service highlights his commitment to public health and safety, spanning positions as a Navy judge advocate, an assistant district attorney, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, a DOJ trial attorney prosecuting terrorism cases, a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, an administrative law judge at the Social Security Administration, and culminating with his appointment at the OALJ where he dedicated the last sixteen years within a branch of DEA dedicated to protecting the public against the harms of diversion and drug abuse. Thank you for your service, Chief Judge Mulrooney. Sláinte!