Approval rates
The approval rate for L. K. Cooper Jr. is based on 203 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. This figure sits within the broader Birmingham office range of 28% to 85% for all judges on record. By reviewing these statistics, you can better understand the historical context of your hearing. 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 Cooper Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cooper Jr.'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 record for L. K. Cooper Jr. spans from 2016 to 2016. During this period, the approval rate was 72% across 203 lifetime decisions. This consistency provides a clear view of the judge's historical approach to disability claims. The data reflects a stable pattern of adjudication during the recorded timeframe.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cooper Jr.'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 Birmingham hearing office
The Birmingham hearing office serves claimants throughout Alabama and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 23 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 49%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the presentation of medical evidence remains the most critical factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Birmingham hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 23 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported in SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 85% lifetime. You can view the Birmingham hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
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
L. K. Cooper Jr. has a lifetime approval rate of 72% based on 203 lifetime decisions. This sits within the Birmingham office-wide lifetime range of 28% to 85%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of judges in this office.
The data for L. K. Cooper Jr. covers the period from 2016 to 2016, during which the approval rate was 72%. Because this record is based on 203 lifetime decisions, it provides a stable view of the judge's historical pattern. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Birmingham hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your functional limitations. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and daily activities. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. While L. K. Cooper Jr. has a 72% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.