Who decides cases at this office
The 16 ALJs at this office show a wide spread in their allowance rates, with outcomes ranging from 31% to 90% and a median of 58%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence according to their own judicial philosophy. This variation means your file must be prepared to a high standard, as the specific judge you draw will have a significant impact on your final outcome.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul L. Johnston | 90% | 3,430 | |
| 2 | Daniel A. Piloseno Jr. | 84% | 3,382 | |
| 3 | Carl C. McGhee | 66% | 4,329 | |
| 4 | Melissa J. McIntosh | 65% | 3,116 | |
| 5 | Shirley A. Marzan | 61% | 3,662 | |
| 6 | Robert Ballieu | 61% | 3,301 | |
| 7 | Margaret Craig | 61% | 3,853 | |
| 8 | Rhonda S. Greenberg | 58% | 537 | |
| 9 | Barbara J. Zanotti | 57% | 4,111 | |
| 10 | Michael A. Rodriguez | 57% | 734 | |
| 11 | Ryan Kirzner | 52% | 3,851 | |
| 12 | John Dawkins | 49% | 4,437 | |
| 13 | Gonzalo Vallecillo | 45% | 3,126 | |
| 14 | Wallace E. Weakley | 44% | 978 | |
| 15 | Glen H. Watkins | 34% | 5,062 | |
| 16 | Amber Downs | 31% | 3,696 |
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 Tampa, 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
With an 8-month wait that has been trending upward, you have a critical window to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your primary task is to submit updated medical records that document your ongoing limitations, as the ALJ will focus on evidence that reflects your current health status. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and any side effects from your medications. During your hearing, an Administrative Law Judge will preside, and a vocational expert will often testify about whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental constraints. You and your attorney will have the opportunity to question this expert. A final decision will arrive by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span nearly 60 percentage points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While you wait for your hearing date, you can bridge the gap between your medical history and the specific legal requirements of the Social Security Administration. A professional review of your file can identify missing evidence that might otherwise lead to a denial.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tampa, 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 current 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 recently.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly at this office. Because there are 16 judges with significantly different allowance rates, you will not know your judge until your hearing notice arrives.
Generally, you cannot request a specific judge. However, if you have a valid legal reason to believe a judge is biased, you may be able to file a request for reassignment with the assistance of an attorney.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variation in judge allowance rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you ensure your medical evidence is properly presented to meet the burden of proof.