Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
- Fred Ray
- Mar 30, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 8, 2023
The Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) is an administrative law court for resolving disciplinary cases between Texas state licensing agencies and professional licensees such as physicians, real estate brokers and registered nurses. Hearings at SOAH typically involve an administrative law judge (ALJ) who presides over the proceedings and makes a proposed decision on the case. Professional license holders are typically represented by a license defense attorney who defends licensees in professional license discipline cases. Such attorneys are often referred to as administrative law attorneys.
The parties involved in the dispute present evidence and arguments to support their position, and the ALJ may ask questions and request additional information. The hearings are usually open to the public and may be conducted in person or remotely.
After the hearing, the ALJ issues a proposal for decision, which includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommended outcome. The proposal is then sent to the relevant licensing agency for review and final decision. Parties may have the opportunity to appeal the final decision to a court of law.
A professional license defense lawyer can assist you with a hearing at the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in several ways, including:
Representing you: An attorney can represent you in the hearing and present your case to the administrative law judge (ALJ). They can help you understand the legal process, prepare your arguments and evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
Offering legal advice: A license defense lawyer can advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case, the potential outcomes, and the legal options available to you.
Negotiating a settlement: A license defense lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement with the state agency.
Filing and responding to legal documents: A license defense lawyer can help you prepare and file legal documents and ensure that all deadlines are met.
Overall, a Texas license defense lawyer can provide valuable guidance and advocacy to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your SOAH hearing. If you are facing a hearing involving your Texas license, the experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at Ray & Weinstein can help. Contact us today for assistance with your legal matter.