Maryland Reappoints Chung Ki Pak as Chief Administrative Law Judge 

The investiture ceremony for Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Chung Ki Pak, was held on May 29, 2026, in the Governor’s Reception Room at the State House in Annapolis.

The ceremony drew a distinguished gathering of state and federal officials, legal professionals, and community leaders celebrating Judge Pak’s reappointment. Attendees included Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Secretary of State Susan Lee, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Secretary of Labor Portia Wu, Secretary of Appointments Mollie Byron, Secretary of General Services Atif Chaudhry, Governor’s Principal Deputy Chief of Staff Manny Welsh, U.S. Representative Glenn Ivey, State Senator Clarence Lam, Consul General In-suk Moon, members of the legal community, leaders from the Korean American and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and members of the AAPI Advisory Commission.

Judge Pak’s family was also present, along with Joy Thomas Moore, mother of Governor Wes Moore. The ceremony’s timing during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month added additional significance to the occasion, according to Judge Pak.

Asian American cabinet secretaries and AAPI community leaders highlighted Judge Pak’s reappointment as a reflection of the growing contributions and leadership of Asian Americans in public service. They described his continued leadership of Maryland’s administrative justice system as a “symbolic testament” to the impact of Asian Americans in government and civic life.

The ceremony was presided over by Executive Administrative Law Judge Latonya Dargan. Following an introduction by Secretary Lee, Lieutenant Governor Miller administered the oath of office to Judge Pak. Upon completion of the oath, Miller presented him with the commission confirming his appointment as Chief Administrative Law Judge in the presence of several Asian American cabinet secretaries from Governor Moore’s administration.

Miller stated, “Chief Judge Park is a leader who has long earned the trust of the public through his fairness and integrity,” adding, “He has played a pivotal role in building confidence in the administrative justice system and serving as a bridge between the community’s voice and the government.”

She further congratulated him, saying, “His leadership stands as a prime example of what is required for public institutions to earn the trust of the people.”

In her remarks, Comptroller Lierman described Judge Pak as an “exceptional public servant who, grounded in fairness and legal expertise, has impartially resolved disputes between Maryland residents and government agencies,” adding that he “made significant contributions to the modernization and efficiency improvements of the Office of Administrative Hearings.”

She also noted that Judge Pak’s leadership has helped the Office of Administrative Hearings, which handles tens of thousands of cases annually, maintain a high level of public trust and operational effectiveness.

Secretary Lee stated, “Chief Judge Pak is a leader who has served as a bridge connecting the legal profession with the local communities,” adding, “He has consistently dedicated himself to uniting Asian American communities and other diverse communities, as well as to promoting civic engagement and human rights.” She further noted, “His reappointment stands as a meaningful testament to Maryland’s values, which prioritize diversity and inclusivity with excellence.”

Representative Ivey emphasized the importance of the administrative court system, stating, “The administrative court is a vital judicial institution directly linked to the daily lives of residents, and who presides over its rulings has a profound impact on the lives of citizens.” He added, “Chief Judge Park has elevated the standards of administrative justice in Maryland, drawing upon exceptional expertise, extensive experience, and a deep spirit of service to the community.”

Since assuming the role of Chief Administrative Law Judge in 2020, Judge Pak has overseen significant modernization efforts within the Office of Administrative Hearings, including the successful implementation of remote and hybrid hearing systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has also managed the agency’s expanded responsibilities, including disciplinary hearings under the Police Accountability Act and compensation hearings for wrongfully incarcerated individuals. These efforts have strengthened the role and reputation of the Office of Administrative Hearings within Maryland’s justice system.

“Chief Judge Pak’s extensive legal career includes over 23 years as an Administrative Patent Judge at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board and many years of experience as corporate intellectual property counsel,” according to the Maryland.gov website. “As an Administrative Patent Judge, he adjudicated over 6,000 patent cases involving complex technical and legal issues and wrote over 2000 opinions eligible for appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.”

Attendees congratulated Judge Pak on his reappointment, describing his tenure as a “significant achievement” that extends beyond the Korean American community and represents a meaningful milestone for the broader Asian American community in Maryland.

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