Chief Administrative Law Judge Michelle Cooke
Michelle Cooke was appointed Chief Administrative Law Judge on October 12, 2023 after having served as Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge since October 1, 2022. Michelle served twice as an Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities Commission (January 2018- October 2023, February 2006-July 2011) and was an Administrative Law Judge from February 2016-December 2017 and December 1999-January 2006.
From June 2012-January 2016, Michelle was responsible for all administrative operations of the CPUC, including information technology, human resources, budget and fiscal operations, procurement, and business services where she focused on documenting internal operational processes and improving the effectiveness of the services provided to internal clients. From August 2020-April 2021, she was Acting Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services heading up budget, fiscal operations, procurement, and business services while concurrently serving as Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge.
Between August 2011 and April 2012 Michelle was the Interim Director of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division, assisting the Executive Director on the agency’s response to a catastrophic natural gas pipeline explosion that occurred in September 2010. In this capacity, she worked with the Executive Director to develop and execute strategies to improve the CPUC’s safety regulation and enforcement capabilities and led the agency safety and enforcement staff for energy utilities, rail and rail transit, passenger and household goods carriers, and telecommunications companies.
Michelle started her career with the CPUC in 1990 advising Commissioners and administrative law judges as a staff expert on resource planning, demand-side management, and avoided cost issues. As a regulatory analyst, Commissioner Advisor, Administrative Law Judge, and Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge, she has coordinated the efforts of inter-disciplinary teams of analysts, engineers, lawyers, and judges, to support CPUC decision making and implementation efforts in various program areas including energy policy, ratemaking, and financing; fire safety and resiliency; transmission siting; water; rail; and transportation. Michelle enjoys figuring out how to address knotty policy and process issues in the most efficient manner so that the Commission can make informed decisions in a timely manner.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, has a Certificate in Business Administration, and has completed coursework at the National Judicial College. Michelle is a long time volunteer for the CPUC’s Food from the Bar and SF-Marin Food Bank and serves on the Board of ArtSpan, an organization committed to cultivating a vibrant, accessible, and world-class art community in San Francisco.