Managing High-Volume Order Writing | Erik Swenk

With more than 32,000 appeals each year, the Office of Appeal Hearings has hearing officers across Florida who conduct administrative evidentiary hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act. Those matters involve public-assistance benefits — including eligibility, benefit recovery, and administrative disqualification — and the orders are reviewable by Florida’s District Courts of Appeal.

As a hearing officer and later as Hearing Officer Supervisor, I gained a great deal of experience managing a very large docket. Of the decisions I issued, Florida’s District Courts of Appeal affirmed them. That record reflects careful time management and the habits that come from efficiently conducting hearings, building a clear record, and writing concise orders.

Drawing on that experience, I was honored to train hearing officers throughout Florida on high-volume order writing — a three-hour presentation followed by a three-hour workshop — so colleagues across the state are even better equipped to issue clear, concise final orders as dockets continue to grow.