Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 21% to 92%. This wide spread means that which judge you draw can have a meaningful impact on your case. Because judges weigh evidence differently, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of the specific ALJ assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. Rene Strong | 92% | 239 | |
| 2 | Claire R. Strong | 79% | 3,544 | |
| 3 | Charles A. Thigpen | 75% | 1,362 | |
| 4 | Vincent P. Intoccia | 73% | 4,605 | |
| 5 | Amy H. Naylor | 71% | 3,741 | |
| 6 | Frank M. Klinger | 70% | 2,258 | |
| 7 | Ricky V. South | 69% | 4,386 | |
| 8 | Maria N. Kusznir | 67% | 1,049 | |
| 9 | Michael D. Anderson | 67% | 2,101 | |
| 10 | George M. Akins | 64% | 622 | |
| 11 | Paul W. Johnson | 63% | 2,334 | |
| 12 | Brian A. Oakes | 62% | 1,271 | |
| 13 | Renita Barnett-Jefferson | 56% | 4,094 | |
| 14 | Rolesia Dancy | 56% | 753 | |
| 15 | John B. Langland | 54% | 3,786 | |
| 16 | Carol L. Latham | 39% | 3,740 | |
| 17 | Walter V. Lassiter Jr. | 21% | 341 |
How long you'll wait
At Montgomery, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8.2 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
Your hearing is your opportunity to present evidence that was missed during the initial denial. You should arrive with updated medical records, a detailed list of medications and their side effects, and a log of your daily activities. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert will likely testify regarding your ability to perform work. Because the wait time in Montgomery has been rising, reaching 8 months as of July 2026, you have a longer runway to ensure your file is complete. Submit all new evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A clear, documented history of your limitations is the most effective way to address the vocational expert's testimony.
When a panel's approval rates span over 70 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. While Montgomery's 71% approval rate is high, the variation among judges means that a generic approach to your hearing is a risk you should avoid. A focused review of your file against the specific standards of the judges here can help you identify gaps in your medical evidence.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Montgomery, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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
As of July 2026, the average wait for a hearing in Montgomery is 8 months. This is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months, though wait times have been trending upward recently. An attorney can help you track your case status during this period.
Cases are assigned to ALJs randomly. Because the approval rates among the panel vary widely, it is important to have a well-prepared case that addresses your specific medical limitations. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively to any judge.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, you should discuss them with an attorney who can advise you on the proper procedures for raising those issues.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is the most critical stage of your SSDI claim. An attorney can help you handle the vocational expert's testimony and ensure all relevant medical evidence is properly submitted.
