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Administrative Law Judges: Bios

 

Erika L. Pierson (she/her)

Chief Administrative Law Judge

Chief Judge Pierson is a graduate of Grinnell College and Northern Illinois University College of Law.

Judge Pierson began her career with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Illinois where she represented the County in criminal appeals and prosecuted child abuse and neglect.  She relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1995 and spent 8 years prosecuting Child Abuse & Neglect at the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, and was Chief of the Child Abuse & Neglect Section.  She then served three years as the General Counsel for D.C. Public Schools and the Board of Education. 

Prior to joining the Commission, Judge Pierson spent 13 years as an Administrative Law Judge with the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings where she was the Principal Judge for Rental Housing, D.C. Public Schools, and Office of State Superintendent jurisdictions, as well as adjudicated cases involving unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, notices of infraction, public benefits, and tax appeals. Judge Pierson is a certified mediator and proficient in alternative dispute resolution.  Judge Pierson was appointed as the Chief Judge of the Commission on Human Rights in November 2019. 


 

Brandes S.G. Ash (she/her)

Administrative Law Judge

Judge Brandes S.G. Ash is a proud graduate of Howard University School of Law. Judge Ash received her Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University in 2008 and bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2006.

A noted public servant, Judge Ash has held several leadership positions in local and national professional organizations, including without limitation: Chief of Communications for the National Bar Association; President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the National Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Division (GWAC); Chair of GWAC Foundation, Inc.; President of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation; Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Family Law Section Child Support Committee; Co-Chair of the ABA Family Law Section Diversity Committee; D.C. Bar Family Law Community member (elected term 2014-2017); and Board member of Foundations for Home and Community. Ms. Ash was an inaugural class member of the D.C. Bar John Payton Leadership Academy in 2014.

Throughout her career, Judge Ash has received numerous professional accolades. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Judge. Ash was named a Rising Star in family law by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. In 2017, the National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division established an award in Judge Ash’s honor, and, since then, recognizes an NBA affiliate chapter President, each year, for his/her/their commitment to leadership and service. Ms. Ash is a recipient of both the National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate Award and GWAC Rising Star Award.


 

Matthew Wiedmayer (he/him)

Legal Assitstant/Georgetown Fellow

Matthew (“Matt”) Wiedmayer (he/him) is a recent law school graduate. He graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2023 and from the University of Maryland College Park in 2020 with a B.A. in Philosophy. Matt's passion for law comes from working on civil and human rights issues, particularly discrimination in employment.

During his first law school summer, Matt worked for an administrative law judge at the Equal Employment Opportunity Division. While there, Matt assisted an Administrative Law Judge in fairly and efficiently adjudicating employment discrimination matters. Matt attended hearings, drafted orders, and conducted research to assist in the EEOC’s important work.

During his second law school summer, Matt worked in the Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. While there, Matt assisted the section in its litigation enforcing federal employment law across the country. Matt primarily wrote memos and conducted legal research to assist the attorneys in answering specific and time-sensitive questions.

Although he is originally from Pennsylvania, as a result of his education, Matt has lived in the D.C. area for 7 years!! He has had the great opportunity to enjoy and explore the city. Matt enjoys the city's history, museums, parks, and nightlife! He also enjoys the rich diversity of food, especially the coffee shops!


Contact Information

 
Email:
Contact Phone: (202) 727-0656
Contact Email: 
Contact Phone: 
(202) 727-0656