Article Date: Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Written By: Russell Rawlings

Chief Justice Parker, assisted by Judge Julian Mann, clips ribbon at new OAH headquarters.

Formal ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held Friday at the new home of the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings in Raleigh. Chief Justice Sarah Parker of the N.C. Supreme Court delivered the dedication remarks.

The new facility, located at 1711 New Hope Church Road, will allow the OAH to centralize the operations of its three divisions: administrative, rules and civil rights. Previously, the work of OAH has been conducted in four locations in Raleigh.

“In the new headquarters, administrative litigation can be conducted in a safe, quiet and dignified manner,” said Chief Administrative Law Judge Julian Mann. The New Hope Professional Center, of which the OAH is the sole occupant, will also provide a proper setting “for all other citizens who are here on the State’s business.”          

Dedication dignitaries included, from left, attorney Jim Morgan of High Point, Judge Mann, Allan Head and Justice Mark Martin of the N.C. Supreme Court.

The OAH previously maintained two locations on North Blount Street – the Capehart (Crocker) House and the Lee House – and additional locations on Front Street and Glenwood Avenue.

“The new facility is very nice, and very comfortable,” said Mann, who currently serves on the NCBA Board of Governors. “I am extremely pleased for the citizens of our state.”

The OAH will continue to maintain branch offices in Charlotte and High Point.

Construction of the new facility came about as a result of the sale of the Blount Street properties in 2006. The State Property Office, which conducted the sale of those properties, also enabled the OAH to provide input on the layout of the new facility.

“State Property told us the size of the rooms and the courtrooms,” Mann said. “Within that framework we were given discretion on how to utilize that space.

“We were able to work with the architects on the interior and exterior of the building, and with the owner who was also the general contractor. That literally allowed us to form the building so it would work as a courthouse and office space.”

Senior Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison and Administrative Law Judge Joe Webster participated in the dedication ceremony. Also in attendance were Administrative Law Judges Selina Brooks (Charlotte), Butch Elkins, Beecher Gray, Shannon Joseph, Melissa Owens Lassiter, Randy May (High Point) and Donald Overby.

Various state officials, judges and members of the bar were also in attendance, including NCBA Executive Director Allan Head, a longtime supporter of the OAH.

A wealth of information regarding the Office of Administrative Hearings, including details concerning its new location, are readily available on the OAH Web site, http://www.ncoah.com/.

From left, Administrative Law Judges Fred Morrison, Melissa Lassiter, Shannon Joseph, Donald Overby, Julian Mann, Joe Webster, Beecher Gray, Butch Elkins, Selena Brooks and Randy May.