Administrative Law Judge Keith Bell has been named Chief Administrative Law Judge at the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, effective July 14, 2024.

Judge Bell joined the Commission as an ALJ in January 2012 and previously served as an ALJ at the Social Security Administration. Before becoming an ALJ, Bell served as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Mine Safety and Health Division of the Labor Department’s Office of the Solicitor. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

As Chief Judge, Bell will join the Commission’s leadership in ensuring fair and expeditious resolution of work-related safety and health disputes between employers, employees or their representatives, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In addition to maintaining his own caseload, Bell will be responsible for the management and general administrative supervision of the administrative law judges in the Review Commission’s National and Regional offices.

Chairman Cynthia L. Attwood welcomes Judge Bell to the position, noting “I am confident that Judge Bell will ably fill his predecessor’s shoes and look forward to a smooth transition to a new era for the Commission.”

Bell received his undergraduate degree in political science and his Juris Doctor degree at North Carolina Central University. He is admitted to the North Carolina and Pennsylvania bars, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Judge Bell will replace Chief Judge Covette Rooney, who is retiring after 45 years of distinguished federal service.