Who decides cases at this office
The ALJ panel in Sacramento shows a moderate spread in allowance rates, ranging from 54% to 80% among active judges. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge is presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plauche F. Villere | 80% | 418 | |
| 2 | Lawrence J. Duran | 76% | 21,603 | |
| 3 | David M. Blume | 75% | 31,781 | |
| 4 | Plauche F. Villere Jr. | 74% | 40,931 | |
| 5 | Robert C. Tronvig Jr. | 72% | 5,755 | |
| 6 | Mary M. French | 70% | 8,572 | |
| 7 | Carol L. Buck | 66% | 14,635 | |
| 8 | Odell Grooms | 65% | 7,231 | |
| 9 | Carol A. Eckersen | 59% | 21,369 | |
| 10 | Christopher C. Knowdell | 59% | 28,731 | |
| 11 | William Spalo | 58% | 23,598 | |
| 12 | Sara A. Gillis | 58% | 31,113 | |
| 13 | Lisa B. Martin | 57% | 28,564 | |
| 14 | Daniel Myers | 56% | 22,678 | |
| 15 | Trevor Skarda | 56% | 27,764 | |
| 16 | Curtis Renoe | 48% | 4,769 | |
| 17 | L. Kalei Fong | 43% | 5,953 | |
| 18 | Peter F. Belli | 39% | 6,090 | |
| 19 | Mark C. Ramsey | 38% | 2,718 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
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 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically 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 will typically involve an ALJ reviewing your file and hearing testimony. You must bring valid identification and any updated medical records that were not included in your initial application. A vocational expert will often testify regarding whether jobs exist that you can perform given your physical or mental limitations. You have the opportunity to question this expert, which is a critical moment to clarify why your specific impairments prevent sustained work. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision is rarely issued on the spot; you will receive a written notice by mail several weeks later.
With a 65% allowance rate, Sacramento frequently favors well-documented claims, but the 26-point spread between judges means your preparation is the deciding factor. Understanding the local panel helps you anticipate the questions a vocational expert will ask. Framing your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of the Social Security Administration remains the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
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. 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.