Washington, D.C. ? Roy L. Pearson Jr., whose $54 million lawsuit against a Northeast Washington dry-cleaning shop was rejected in court, is about to lose his job as an administrative law judge, sources said Monday night.

A city commission voted Monday against reappointing Pearson to the bench of the Office of Administrative Hearings, a tribunal that hears cases involving various District of Columbia boards and agencies. Pearson, who was up for a 10-year term, had tried to hold onto the job.

The commission’s discussions are not public. Sources familiar with the deliberations said the panel hasn’t drafted a letter formally notifying Pearson of its decision. Until that is done, the sources said, the decision is not final. The letter could be sent early next week, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case.