Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office show a moderate spread, with approval rates among the panel ranging from 50% to 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs medical evidence differently. This variation means your preparation must be thorough enough to satisfy the requirements of any judge on the panel, as there is no guarantee which one will preside over your specific case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George W. Reyes | 79% | 2,481 | |
| 2 | Larry E. Johnson | 76% | 3,746 | |
| 3 | Tin Tin Chen | 71% | 2,295 | |
| 4 | Charles Davis | 69% | 3,994 | |
| 5 | Laura S. Havens | 50% | 3,993 |
How long you'll wait
At Tucson, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 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
With a 9-month wait, you have a critical window to build a robust file before you sit before an ALJ. Your hearing will likely involve testifying under oath about your limitations. A vocational expert often attends to provide testimony on whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental restrictions. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists, and daily-activity logs well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. Because the panel shows moderate variation in approval rates, your file must clearly document your inability to perform sustained work. A final decision typically arrives by mail several weeks after the proceedings conclude.
With a 9-month wait between your request and your hearing date, you have a significant runway to ensure your file is complete. While this office has a high 77% approval rate, the cases that fail often do so because the medical record did not adequately address the vocational expert's questions regarding work capacity. Strengthening your evidence before you step into the hearing room is the most effective way to improve your chances of a favorable decision.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tucson, 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
The average wait for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This is a typical wait time when compared to the national average of 8 months. An attorney can help you navigate this wait and ensure your file is ready.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because you cannot select your judge, it is essential to have a well-documented file that addresses your limitations clearly regardless of who presides. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this panel.
You generally cannot request a different judge. If you have concerns about your assigned ALJ, an attorney can help you review your file to determine if there are procedural grounds to address those concerns.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is the most critical stage of your claim. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare you for the questions you will face under oath.
