Who decides cases at this office
The panel of 18 ALJs in Mobile shows a wide spread in approval rates, ranging from 28% to 81%. Because outcomes swing significantly depending on which judge is assigned to your case, your file must be robust enough to withstand rigorous scrutiny. While assignments are random, understanding the panel's aggregate tendencies helps in building a case that addresses common evidentiary gaps.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D. Burgess Stalley | 81% | 2,887 | |
| 2 | Thomas M. Muth | 77% | 266 | |
| 3 | Ben E. Sheely | 77% | 3,231 | |
| 4 | Kim McClain-Leazure | 75% | 293 | |
| 5 | Roger A. Nelson | 75% | 3,180 | |
| 6 | Alan E. Michel | 72% | 1,374 | |
| 7 | Warren L. Hammond Jr. | 72% | 1,780 | |
| 8 | Thomas M. Muth II | 69% | 2,793 | |
| 9 | David R. Murchison | 68% | 3,130 | |
| 10 | Laura L. Robinson | 65% | 3,950 | |
| 11 | Marni R. McCaghren | 63% | 3,297 | |
| 12 | Daniel S. Campbell | 63% | 2,901 | |
| 13 | Tracy S. Guice | 62% | 3,166 | |
| 14 | James F. Barter | 56% | 2,760 | |
| 15 | Paul Reams | 54% | 1,084 | |
| 16 | Robert Waller | 53% | 2,686 | |
| 17 | Kevin Boucher | 53% | 3,134 | |
| 18 | L. D. Pischek | 28% | 1,135 |
How long you'll wait
At Mobile, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
With 18 judges and a rising wait time now at 8 months, your hearing in Mobile requires a proactive approach to evidence. You should arrive with updated medical records, a detailed log of your daily limitations, and a list of medication side effects that impact your ability to work. The hearing typically lasts about an hour, during which an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert will likely testify about available jobs. Because the approval rates at this office vary widely between 28% and 81%, your file must be complete before the evidence-submission deadline. You will receive the final decision by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants assume that because the office-wide approval rate is high, the process will be straightforward, but the variation across judges creates a hidden risk. You can use the months leading up to your hearing to pressure-test your evidence against the specific standards of the Mobile panel.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Mobile, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at this office is currently 8 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, so it is vital to keep your medical evidence updated throughout the process.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 18 ALJs at the Mobile office. Because approval rates vary significantly across the panel, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this office.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made randomly to ensure impartiality. Instead of judge-shopping, focus on building a comprehensive medical record that supports your claim regardless of who presides.
While you are not required to have a lawyer, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you navigate the vocational expert's testimony and ensure your file is complete.