Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 27% to 66% and a median of 47%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs medical evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to withstand scrutiny regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wendell C. Fowler | 66% | 1,958 | |
| 2 | Don Curdie | 64% | 1,787 | |
| 3 | David L. Knowles | 56% | 2,200 | |
| 4 | Linda Marshall | 55% | 2,500 | |
| 5 | Mark S. Ferguson | 53% | 4,659 | |
| 6 | John H. Goree | 52% | 4,414 | |
| 7 | Eliaser Chaparro | 47% | 3,846 | |
| 8 | Toni Shropshire | 47% | 2,161 | |
| 9 | Dennis Hansen | 46% | 5,883 | |
| 10 | Clarence D. Stripling | 46% | 1,136 | |
| 11 | David J. Manley | 40% | 506 | |
| 12 | Paul Wood | 38% | 3,402 | |
| 13 | Kevin T. Alexander | 36% | 3,895 | |
| 14 | Mark Schafer | 35% | 4,405 | |
| 15 | Bradley L. Davis | 32% | 4,165 | |
| 16 | Thomas Cheffins | 27% | 4,801 |
How long you'll wait
At Little Rock, 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 Little Rock office involves an ALJ reviewing your claim and hearing testimony. You must bring valid identification and any updated medical records that have emerged since your initial denial. A vocational expert often testifies to determine if you can perform work in the national economy, and you or your representative will have the chance to question them. Because the approval rate here is 43%, your preparation must focus on clearly linking your medical limitations to your inability to work. Submit all evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. You will receive the decision by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to gaps in documentation. The 8-month wait time is a strategic window to ensure your medical history and daily-activity logs are airtight. Focusing on these elements helps you navigate the hearing process effectively.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Little Rock, 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 current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, so it is important to stay proactive with your evidence gathering.
Judges are assigned to cases randomly. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the panel, an attorney can help you prepare by focusing on the universal strengths of your medical record rather than relying on the tendencies of any single judge.
Generally, you cannot request a specific judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, you should discuss them with a qualified representative immediately.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the 43% approval rate at this office suggests that hearings are challenging. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for vocational expert testimony.
