Approval rates
The approval rates displayed here compare John Campbell's performance against the broader bench at the Newark hearing office. While his overall rate since 2017 sits at 63%, latest-period data shows a 60% approval rate, which is 5 percentage points higher than the office's latest-period average of 55%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable statistical baseline.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Campbell'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
John Campbell's approval rate has shown variance across the 2,533 decisions on record since 2017. After a period of growth peaking in 2023 and 2024 at 72%, the rate has moderated. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date figure of 60% reflects a shift from previous annual highs.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Campbell'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 Newark hearing office
John Campbell's most recent office on record is the Newark hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you across New Jersey and operates with a bench of 17 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 10 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 20% to 73% on their records since 2016.
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
John Campbell's latest-period approval rate of 60% is 5 percentage points higher than the Newark office's latest-period average of 55%. While this suggests he has been more likely to approve benefits than the office average recently, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. After starting at 54% in 2018, it climbed to a peak of 72% in 2023 and 2024 before settling at 60% in the most recent partial year of data. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current evidence standards in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions John Campbell or any other judge may ask.
