Who decides cases at this office
The 8 judges at the Fort Smith office show a moderate spread in their approval rates, which range from 47% to 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to satisfy the requirements of any judge on the panel.
| 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 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 involve an ALJ reviewing your file and hearing testimony. You should bring updated medical records, a current medication list with side effects, and a daily-activity log to demonstrate your limitations. Since the office maintains a steady 8-month wait, use this time to ensure your evidence is submitted well before the deadline. A vocational expert will often testify about whether jobs exist for someone with your specific restrictions. You have the right to question this expert, which is often the most critical part of the proceeding. A final decision will arrive by mail after your hearing concludes.
With a 61% approval rate, many claimants in Fort Smith succeed, but cases that fail often do so because they lacked the specific medical documentation required to counter a vocational expert's testimony. An attorney who understands the nuances of this panel can help you identify the gaps in your record before your hearing date arrives.
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. 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 8 months. This wait time has remained steady over the past year, providing a predictable timeline for your case preparation. An attorney can help you manage your expectations and timeline throughout this process.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly at the Fort Smith office. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the 8 judges, it is vital to have a well-documented case that stands on its own regardless of who presides. An attorney can help you prepare for the possibility of appearing before any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot request a specific 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 legal procedures for your situation.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is complex and involves expert testimony that can be difficult to navigate alone. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence and cross-examine the vocational expert to protect your interests.