Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual rates ranging from 61% to 83%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary J. Lee | 83% | 929 | |
| 2 | Jeffrey A. Hatfield | 82% | 3,573 | |
| 3 | Mark Yasutomi | 67% | 1,082 | |
| 4 | Ruxana Meyer | 61% | 3,006 |
How long you'll wait
At Honolulu, 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
With an 8-month wait, you have a clear runway to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your most important task is submitting updated medical records that document your condition since your initial denial. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and potential side effects from your medications. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside while a vocational expert typically testifies about jobs that might fit your functional limits. You can question this expert, which is often the turning point of the proceeding. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 20 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to gaps in documentation. Even at offices like Honolulu where the approval rate is high, the cases that fail often do so because they did not anticipate the vocational expert's questions regarding your specific work limitations. A well-prepared file remains the most effective tool for navigating these variations in judicial approach.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Honolulu, 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, giving you a predictable timeline to prepare your case. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready within this timeframe.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, it is important to have a well-documented file that addresses your specific medical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made randomly. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you understand how to best present your evidence to that specific ALJ.
While you are not required to have an attorney, represented claimants are statistically more likely to be approved. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony, which is often critical to your success.
