Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual records ranging from 47% to 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs medical evidence differently. This variation makes it essential to build a comprehensive file that addresses your limitations clearly, regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronald L. Burton | 79% | 725 | |
| 2 | Harold D. Davis | 66% | 4,055 | |
| 3 | Glenn A. Neel | 62% | 3,495 | |
| 4 | Bill Jones | 55% | 4,884 | |
| 5 | Elisabeth McGee | 54% | 3,998 | |
| 6 | Clifford Shilling | 48% | 1,749 | |
| 7 | Edward M. Starr | 48% | 3,472 | |
| 8 | David Romeo | 47% | 2,847 |
How long you'll wait
At Fort Smith, 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 at the Fort Smith office will typically last about an hour, during which an ALJ will review your claim. You should arrive with updated medical records, a detailed list of your medications and their side effects, and a log of your daily activity limitations. A vocational expert often testifies to clarify which jobs exist for someone with your specific restrictions, and you will have the chance to question them. Because the office maintains a steady 8-month wait, use this time to ensure all evidence is submitted before the deadline. Decisions are rarely made on the spot; you will receive a written notice by mail several weeks after the proceedings conclude.
With a 61% approval rate, many claimants find success at the Fort Smith office, but cases that fail often do so because they lack the specific medical documentation required to overcome a previous denial. When a panel's approval rates span over 30 points, your file must be strong enough to withstand scrutiny from any judge on the panel. Focusing on the clarity of your medical evidence remains the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Fort Smith, 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 the Fort Smith office is 8 months, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you understand how this timeline affects your specific case strategy.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges associated with this office. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, it is important to have a well-documented file that is prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you evaluate your options for presenting your evidence effectively.
While you are not required to have an attorney, represented claimants are often more successful. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.
