---
title: "M. Drew Crislip | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-drew-crislip-ssa-administrative-law-judge"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# M. Drew Crislip

SSA Office of Hearings Operations, Charleston Wv · Administrative Law Judge

## Profile

- Court: SSA Office of Hearings Operations, Charleston Wv
- State: West Virginia
- Role: Administrative Law Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- He also held the role of an Administrative Law Judge at both state and federal levels, further broadening his judicial experience
- He also practiced privately and provided legal counsel to county boards of education

### Education


### Additional information

- Crislip spent 15 years as a Family Court Judge in Harrison County, where he primarily handled domestic relations and child welfare cases.
- During this time, he collaborated closely with Child Protective Services, participated in statewide task forces on domestic violence, and chaired the West Virginia Supreme Court's Committee on Judicial Assistance & Intervention, supporting judges facing challenges such as addiction or health issues.
- Beyond the bench, Crislip held a position as Assistant General Counsel for the FBI, taught law-related courses as an adjunct instructor, and continues to serve as a mediator and Senior Status Family Court Judge.
- He held the role of a Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Robert J. Staker in the Southern District of West Virginia and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney handling VA matters.
- Drew Crislip, a native of Harrison County, West Virginia, is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law and has had a distinguished legal career spanning multiple roles in both state and federal systems.
- SHIELD Task Force biography identifies M. Drew Crislip as a Harrison County native and WVU College of Law graduate.
- It also confirms teaching in Fairmont State and Marshall legal-studies programs.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### hearing mode selection

Scope: courtwide

An SSA hearing may be held in person, by private-location telephone audio, by agency video at an SSA office, or by online video from a private location; online video requires agreement, while the notice explains how to object to audio or agency video.

Evidence excerpt: Your hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ) can take place in one of four ways:

[Ways to Attend Your Social Security Hearing Before a Judge](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_options.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### online video arrival and setup

Scope: courtwide

For an online video hearing, test Microsoft Teams in advance, join at least 15 minutes early, use a quiet private location, and turn on the camera and microphone after joining.

Evidence excerpt: It is recommended you open this link at least 15 minutes before your hearing start time.

[SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### online video chat visibility

Scope: courtwide

Microsoft Teams chat can be used to alert the judge to an unresolved technical problem, but every chat message is visible to all hearing participants.

Evidence excerpt: However, please note that any messages in the chat will be viewable by all participants in the hearing.

[SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### five business day evidence rule

Scope: courtwide

Inform SSA about or submit written evidence at least five business days before the scheduled hearing; later evidence may be declined unless the circumstances in 20 CFR 404.935(b) or 416.1435(b) apply.

Evidence excerpt: Generally, if a claimant informs the Social Security Administration (SSA) about or submits evidence less than five business days before the date of the scheduled hearing, at, or after the hearing, the ALJ may decline to obtain or consider the evidence, unless the circumstances in 20 CFR 404.935(b) and 416.1435(b) apply.

[HALLEX I-2-6-59 - Admitting Evidence Submitted Less Than Five Business Days Before the Hearing or At or After the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-59.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### proposed exhibit objections

Scope: courtwide

Before testimony, the ALJ asks whether the claimant or representative examined the proposed exhibits, invites objections to admission, and rules on those objections.

Evidence excerpt: Before taking any testimony, the ALJ will make the proposed exhibits a part of the record by:

[HALLEX I-2-6-58 - Admitting Evidence Submitted At Least Five Business Days Before the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-58.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### hearing sequence

Scope: courtwide

SSA ALJ hearings generally proceed through an introduction, opening statement, oath or affirmation, evidence, oral testimony, written or oral argument, and a closing statement.

Evidence excerpt: To accomplish this goal, ALJ hearings generally follow the same format, as follows:

[HALLEX I-2-6-1 - Hearings, General](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-1.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### hearing recording

Scope: courtwide

SSA makes the official verbatim audio record. Photographs, screenshots, and video recording are prohibited; a claimant seeking a private recording must request permission under HALLEX I-2-6-52.D.

Evidence excerpt: However, no individual is permitted to take photographs or screenshots or use video recording devices during a hearing.

[HALLEX I-2-6-40 - Record of the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-40.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### testimony under oath

Scope: courtwide

Testimony is generally taken under oath or affirmation on the record, unless the ALJ finds an important reason not to administer one.

Evidence excerpt: Generally, an administrative law judge (ALJ) will take all testimony provided at the hearing under oath or affirmation, unless the ALJ finds that there is an important reason not to.

[HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### limited english interpreter

Scope: courtwide

When testimony from a claimant or witness with limited English proficiency is needed, the ALJ ensures an interpreter is available for the oath and testimony.

Evidence excerpt: If an ALJ determines that the testimony of a claimant or witness with limited proficiency in English is needed to inquire fully into the issues, the ALJ will ensure that an interpreter is available when administering the oath to and taking testimony from the claimant or witness.

[HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### questioning witnesses

Scope: courtwide

A claimant or representative generally may question a witness after the ALJ's initial questioning, subject to the ALJ's control over timing and limits on repetitive, cumulative, intimidating, harassing, or embarrassing questioning.

Evidence excerpt: The ALJ will usually provide a claimant or representative the opportunity to question a witness after the ALJ completes his or her initial questioning of the witness.

[HALLEX I-2-6-60 - Testimony of Claimants and Witnesses](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-60.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html)
- [Official roster](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html)
- [Social Security Administration judicial profile or roster](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html)
- [Ways to Attend Your Social Security Hearing Before a Judge](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_options.html)
- [SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-59 - Admitting Evidence Submitted Less Than Five Business Days Before the Hearing or At or After the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-59.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-58 - Admitting Evidence Submitted At Least Five Business Days Before the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-58.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-1 - Hearings, General](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-1.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-40 - Record of the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-40.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html)
- [HALLEX I-2-6-60 - Testimony of Claimants and Witnesses](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-60.html)
- [shieldwv.com](https://shieldwv.com/drew-crislip)
- [www.martindale.com](https://www.martindale.com/attorney/m-drew-crislip-1783711/)
- [wvbar.org](https://wvbar.org/more-than-a-lawyer-drew-crislip/)

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