FMC Temporarily Adds Two Administrative Law Judges to Handle Case Surge

Here are key takeaways:

• New judges: Judge Jamie Mendelson and Judge Debra Tesh began at the Federal Maritime Commission on January 26, 2026, detailed through the end of the fiscal year via a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies.
• Judge Mendelson’s background: A Stanford Law graduate, she has served as a Supervisory Administrative Law Judge at the Department of Health and Human Services since 2019, previously worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and is an active Air Force Reserve judge on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
• Judge Tesh’s background: A Seattle University School of Law graduate, she has served as a Supervisory Administrative Law Judge at the Department of Health and Human Services since 2019 and previously handled public assistance and protective services appeals in Washington state.
• Why it’s needed: The Federal Maritime Commission’s Office of Administrative Law Judges has seen a significant rise in the number and complexity of cases, many stemming from pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.
• Current bench: The two judges join Chief Administrative Law Judge Erin M. Wirth, Judges Linda S. Crovella, Alex M. Chintella, Richard Ambrow, and Mary Hervey.