Approval rates
The approval rate for Sandra R. DiMaggio Wallis is based on 2,171 decisions made between January 2016 and September 2022. When compared to the bench at the Atlanta North hearing office, where approval rates for the 24 judges range from 24% to 94%, her record provides a point of reference. These figures reflect historical data rather than a guarantee of your future outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wallis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Wallis'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, the approval rate for Sandra R. DiMaggio Wallis has fluctuated between 54% and 65% during her time on record. The data reflects 2,171 total decisions, showing a consistent approach to case evaluation over the period ending in September 2022. This trend suggests a stable decision-making history, with the most recent years reflecting a continuation of her established patterns.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wallis'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 Atlanta North hearing office
The Atlanta North hearing office serves you and other claimants in Georgia and the surrounding region. It is home to a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where your evidence quality remains the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Atlanta North Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 94%. For your preparation, the guidance remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Sandra R. DiMaggio Wallis has an approval rate of 58% based on 2,171 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 94% range of approval rates for the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Sandra R. DiMaggio Wallis has remained relatively steady since 2016, with annual figures ranging from 54% to 65% during her time on record. While these trends provide context, they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. A qualified attorney can help you assess the strengths of your claim.
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. Because assignment is random, it is important to focus on preparing a strong case regardless of the judge assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your individual case. Sandra R. DiMaggio Wallis has decided 2,171 cases since 2016, providing a data set for review. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary medical evidence.
