Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for individual judges ranging from 39% to 80%. This wide variation means that which judge you draw can impact your case. Because judges are assigned randomly and each weighs evidence differently, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plauche F. Villere | 80% | 420 | |
| 2 | Lawrence J. Duran | 76% | 2,824 | |
| 3 | David M. Blume | 75% | 4,517 | |
| 4 | Plauche F. Villere Jr. | 74% | 5,436 | |
| 5 | Robert C. Tronvig Jr. | 73% | 671 | |
| 6 | Mary M. French | 69% | 1,101 | |
| 7 | Jean R. Kerins | 67% | 629 | |
| 8 | Carol L. Buck | 66% | 1,842 | |
| 9 | Odell Grooms | 65% | 854 | |
| 10 | Christopher C. Knowdell | 59% | 3,959 | |
| 11 | Carol A. Eckersen | 59% | 2,795 | |
| 12 | Sara A. Gillis | 58% | 4,273 | |
| 13 | William Spalo | 58% | 3,226 | |
| 14 | Lisa B. Martin | 57% | 3,874 | |
| 15 | Laura Speck Havens | 57% | 7 | |
| 16 | Daniel Myers | 56% | 2,980 | |
| 17 | Curtis Renoe | 48% | 559 | |
| 18 | L. Kalei Fong | 45% | 720 | |
| 19 | Peter F. Belli | 41% | 726 | |
| 20 | Mark C. Ramsey | 39% | 413 |
How long you'll wait
At Sacramento, 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 a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review your claim. Because the wait time here is a steady 8 months, you have a clear runway to ensure your medical file is complete. Focus on gathering updated records, a detailed list of medication side effects, and a daily-activity log that illustrates your limitations. A vocational expert will likely testify about your ability to perform work, and you or your attorney may question them on these findings. Submit all new evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, with a final decision arriving by mail weeks later.
When a panel's approval rates span 41 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. While this office's 68% approval rate is high, the cases that fail often do so because the medical record did not anticipate the vocational expert's questions. Focusing on the specific requirements of your claim helps you navigate the variation in how judges weigh evidence.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Sacramento, 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 is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because of this, you cannot choose your judge, and your preparation should focus on building a robust case that addresses all potential evidentiary concerns. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific judge assigned to your case.
You generally cannot request a specific judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, discuss them with an attorney who can advise you on the proper procedures for raising those issues.
While there is no formal dress code, dressing in neat, professional attire shows respect for the court and the importance of your claim. Focus on comfort, as you may be sitting for an extended period. An attorney can help you understand what to expect during your hearing appearance.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is a complex legal proceeding where your medical evidence and work history are scrutinized. An attorney can help you organize your file and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.
