Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent data sets. Lamar W. Davis holds a 62% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 38% to 85% range observed across the Portland ME bench. Because the Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, your specific judge is determined by random selection.
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 29, 2017. 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
The record for Lamar W. Davis spans 546 decisions beginning in 2016. The data shows a steady approval pattern, with 64% in 2016 and 60% in 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence over the observed period.
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 Portland ME hearing office
The Portland ME hearing office serves you if you are located throughout Maine and the surrounding region. This office maintains a diverse bench of 10 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Portland ME Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Portland ME hearing office currently has 10 judges on record since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 38% to 85% on lifetime records. Because cases are assigned randomly, you have no control over which judge hears your claim.
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
Lamar W. Davis has a 62% lifetime approval rate. This falls within the 38% to 85% range seen among the 10 judges on record at the Portland ME office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office.
The approval rate for Lamar W. Davis has remained steady, moving from 64% in 2016 to 60% in 2017. This consistency across 546 lifetime decisions indicates a stable decision-making pattern. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney who understands the local bench is important. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
A 62% lifetime 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 evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a case tailored to the standards of your assigned judge.