Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, as approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions on record since 2016 range from 21% to 87%. This wide variation means that which judge you draw can meaningfully influence your case. Because assignments are random, you cannot choose your judge, making it essential that your evidence is robust enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Chrzanowski | 87% | 95 | |
| 2 | Robert Gill | 76% | 1,410 | |
| 3 | Jose Perez-Gonzalez | 76% | 2,082 | |
| 4 | Robert Spurlin | 73% | 883 | |
| 5 | Jonathan Sprague | 68% | 3,542 | |
| 6 | Wendy Hunn | 67% | 3,608 | |
| 7 | Rossana L. D'Alessio | 65% | 3,842 | |
| 8 | Thurman Anderson | 64% | 2,189 | |
| 9 | Angela Saindon | 60% | 2,665 | |
| 10 | Richard J. Ortiz-Valero | 57% | 3,799 | |
| 11 | Denise Pasvantis | 50% | 3,633 | |
| 12 | James Andres | 48% | 2,174 | |
| 13 | Jennifer Pustizzi | 46% | 2,301 | |
| 14 | Mary Brennan | 44% | 1,911 | |
| 15 | Lissette Labrousse | 40% | 3,491 | |
| 16 | Angela L. Neel | 37% | 4,779 | |
| 17 | M. D. Evans | 32% | 338 | |
| 18 | Sylvia H. Alonso | 25% | 2,929 | |
| 19 | Valencia Jarvis | 21% | 2,564 |
How long you'll wait
At Ft. Lauderdale, 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
You have an 8-month window to prepare for your hearing, which is a critical runway to strengthen your file. Start by gathering all medical records generated since your initial denial, as these provide the most current evidence of your limitations. You should also compile a detailed log of your daily activities and a list of medication side effects that impact your ability to work. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside while a vocational expert often testifies about jobs that may fit your residual functional capacity. Your goal is to ensure your evidence directly addresses the expert's testimony, as the ALJ will use this record to issue a decision by mail.
When a panel's approval rates span over 60 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Ft. Lauderdale panel can identify the specific evidence gaps that often lead to denials at this office. They can also cross-examine the vocational expert to clarify how your specific limitations prevent you from performing even sedentary work.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Ft. Lauderdale, 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 this office is 8 months. While this is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months, the wait time has been trending upward over the last year. An attorney can help you understand how to manage this wait time effectively.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, your outcome depends on the specific documentation in your file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of the judge assigned to your case.
You generally cannot request a different judge. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you evaluate your options for presenting evidence that addresses that judge's typical areas of focus.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of an ALJ.
