Approval rates
The approval rate for William G. Brown is based on 1,816 decisions rendered between January 2016 and September 2019. When evaluating this performance, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Minneapolis office, where judges' since-2016 approval rates range from 33% to 68%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the local hearing environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Brown. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Brown's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for William G. Brown remained relatively consistent throughout the period of January 2016 to September 2019. Starting at 67% in 2016, the rate saw a minor peak of 69% in 2017 before settling at 68% in 2018 and 65% in 2019. With 1,816 total decisions on record, this steady pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brown's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Minneapolis hearing office
The Minneapolis hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a hub for disability adjudications. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis hearing office, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 33% to 68%. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is a standard part of case preparation.
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.
Frequently asked questions
William G. Brown has an approval rate of 68% based on 1,816 decisions since 2016. This places him at the higher end of the range for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis hearing office, where rates vary from 33% to 68%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for William G. Brown has remained steady over the period of January 2016 to September 2019. While there was a minor fluctuation between 65% and 69% across these years, the overall volume of 1,816 decisions indicates a consistent decision-making pattern. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While William G. Brown approved 68% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
