Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Mary Forrest-Doyle holds an 80% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period approval rate of 79% sits 16 points above the Washington office's latest-period average of 63%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,734 lifetime decisions, providing a stable basis for analysis. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Forrest-Doyle'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, your approval rate for Mary Forrest-Doyle has shown a generally high and stable trend. After reaching a peak of 86% in 2019 and 2020, the rate has remained consistent, with the most recent data from 2026 showing an 82% approval rate. This steady pattern suggests a reliable approach to evaluating evidence over the years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this stable pattern, showing that her decision-making process remains consistent with her long-term record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Forrest-Doyle'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves you throughout the District of Columbia region. With 19 judges on record, this office manages a diverse caseload and maintains a latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a professional environment where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome of your hearing. For more information, see the Washington 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 the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges on record at this office since 2016, 14 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates among these peers vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 85% over their respective lifetimes. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Mary Forrest-Doyle's latest-period approval rate of 79% is 16 points higher than the Washington office's latest-period average of 63%. While this suggests a higher-than-average approval rate, every case is unique and depends on the specific evidence you provide. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Mary Forrest-Doyle has maintained a high approval rate throughout her time on record since 2016. While there have been minor fluctuations, such as the 86% rate in 2019 and 2020 compared to the 82% rate in 2026, the trend remains stable. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Mary Forrest-Doyle has an 80% lifetime approval rate, your case's success ultimately depends on the strength of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.