Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary across the panel, with approval rates ranging from 23% to 86%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs medical evidence differently. This variation makes it essential to prepare a case that is strong enough to succeed regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenn M. Embree | 86% | 2,256 | |
| 2 | Robert T. Jackson Jr. | 80% | 1,047 | |
| 3 | O. Lisa Dabreu | 73% | 201 | |
| 4 | J. Samuel Childs | 70% | 3,187 | |
| 5 | Nikki A. Flowers | 67% | 1,978 | |
| 6 | S. Charles Murray | 67% | 3,617 | |
| 7 | Harry E. Siegrist | 67% | 376 | |
| 8 | Ucheakpunwa Egemonye | 64% | 931 | |
| 9 | Grant Dail | 62% | 1,128 | |
| 10 | Hilton R. Miller | 61% | 3,886 | |
| 11 | Raymond M. Lykins | 58% | 788 | |
| 12 | Suzanne A. Littlefield | 57% | 2,480 | |
| 13 | Carla McMichael | 56% | 2,837 | |
| 14 | Karen A. Cornick-Craig | 55% | 543 | |
| 15 | Melinda L. Dula | 52% | 3,394 | |
| 16 | F. J. Hughes | 51% | 658 | |
| 17 | Lisa A. Bentley | 47% | 895 | |
| 18 | Kyle C. Alexander | 43% | 1,193 | |
| 19 | Gwen Hurley | 43% | 648 | |
| 20 | Lisa B. Parrish | 39% | 1,780 | |
| 21 | Dale D. Glendening Jr. | 35% | 121 | |
| 22 | Brendan F. Flanagan | 23% | 2,423 |
How long you'll wait
At Atlanta Downtown, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
Hearings at this office move faster than the national average, so you must submit all updated medical records well before your date. Your hearing will involve an ALJ reviewing your file and a vocational expert testifying about available work. You should bring an updated list of medications, a log of your daily activities, and any new statements from your doctors regarding your functional limitations. Because the panel here has a wide range of approval rates, your prep must focus on documenting exactly why your condition prevents full-time work. The decision will arrive by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span a wide range, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Even at offices where most hearings go in your favor, the cases that fail often share one trait: a record that did not anticipate the vocational expert's questions. Preparing your medical evidence thoroughly before you walk into the hearing room is the best way to ensure your case is ready for review.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Atlanta Downtown, 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 time for a hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA. If you have concerns about a specific judge, discuss them with your attorney, who can advise on the best way to present your case.
While you are not required to have a lawyer, 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 the ALJ assigned to your case.
