Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 74% approval rate for Mary S. Connolly reflects total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 44% to 74% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached cases. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Connolly. 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 Connolly'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 Mary S. Connolly has remained consistent. Between 2016 and 2018, your annual approval rate hovered between 73% and 74% across more than 500 decisions each year. In 2019, the rate was 77% over 274 decisions. This trend suggests a steady approach to case evaluation throughout the period covered by our data.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Connolly'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 Livonia MI hearing office
Mary S. Connolly's most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office, which serves the surrounding region in Michigan. This office is home to 18 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 44% to 74%. Because of this variance, understanding the broader context of the office is helpful for your 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
Judge Connolly's 74% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the top of the 44% to 74% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI. While this indicates a higher historical rate, every case is unique and depends on the specific evidence you present. An attorney can help you evaluate how to present your case effectively before this judge.
The approval rate for Judge Connolly has been stable, starting at 74% in 2016 and reaching 77% in 2019. This consistency across 1,461 decisions suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your specific medical evidence aligns with this pattern, a free case review can provide clarity. An attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you organize your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having legal representation can help ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is organized. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions.
A judge's historical approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Judge Connolly has approved 74% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome will ultimately depend on the quality of your medical documentation and your testimony. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a favorable outcome.
