Approval rates
The approval rate for Glenn M. Embree is calculated based on 2,256 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the broader Atlanta Downtown bench, where lifetime approval rates among the 22 judges on record range from 23% to 86%. These metrics offer insight into the judge's historical decision-making patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Embree. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Embree'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 trend for Glenn M. Embree has shifted over the years, starting at 89% in 2016 and moving to 74% by 2021. With 2,256 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent volume of activity throughout this period. While the approval rate remained high for several years, the most recent data points indicate a change in the frequency of allowances, which may reflect shifts in the complexity of cases or the specific evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Embree'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 Downtown hearing office
The Atlanta Downtown hearing office serves claimants throughout the Georgia region. This office maintains a diverse bench of 22 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 23% to 86% over their respective careers.
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
Glenn M. Embree has a lifetime approval rate of 86%, which sits at the high end of the 23% to 86% range observed among the 22 judges at the Atlanta Downtown office. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Glenn M. Embree has shifted from 89% in 2016 to 74% in 2021. While he maintained a high rate for several years, the recent trend shows a decline in the percentage of allowances. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific 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 Atlanta Downtown office. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your past employment and current limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. While Glenn M. Embree has approved 86% of his 2,256 lifetime decisions, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.