Approval rates
The approval rate for Kelly Davis reflects a consistent history of decisions across a significant volume of cases. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader Raleigh bench, where lifetime approval rates range from 27% to 74%. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding the judicial environment in North Carolina.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Davis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Davis'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
Since 2016, Kelly Davis has maintained a steady approval pattern. The overall record remains consistent with the lifetime average of 70% across 3,608 decisions. This consistency helps provide a reliable expectation for how your evidence is reviewed in this courtroom.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Davis'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 Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout North Carolina and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 17 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 61%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016. With lifetime approval rates across the office ranging from 27% to 74%, the judge you draw can influence the context of your hearing.
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
Kelly Davis has a lifetime approval rate of 70% across 3,608 decisions. This places the judge within the range of 27% to 74% seen across the 17 judges on record at the Raleigh office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with these local trends.
The approval rate for Kelly Davis has remained relatively steady since 2016. While there are minor year-to-year variations, the judge has maintained a consistent pattern of decision-making over the last several years. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor in your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your specific hearing.