Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's record requires comparing their performance against the broader bench. Robert Freedman's lifetime approval rate of 41% sits within the office-wide lifetime range of 41% to 89%. In the most recent reporting period, his 43% approval rate tracks against an office average of 49%, a state average of 47%, and a national average of 58%. These figures are based on 2,980 lifetime decisions.
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 Freedman'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
Robert Freedman's record shows a varied approval trend since 2016. After starting at 36% in 2016, the rate fluctuated, reaching a peak of 52% in 2024 before settling at 43% in the most recent period. This pattern reflects the inherent variability in disability adjudication over his 2,980 decisions on record. The latest period shows a slight decline from the 2024-2025 highs, suggesting a return toward his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Freedman'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 Albuquerque hearing office
The Albuquerque hearing office serves you and other claimants across New Mexico and the surrounding region. With 16 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 49%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported data in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 89% 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
Robert Freedman has a lifetime approval rate of 41%, which sits at the lower end of the 41% to 89% range observed among the 16 judges on record at the Albuquerque office. While his latest-period rate of 43% is 6 points below the office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over his 2,980 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of growth that saw approval rates reach 52% in 2024, the most recent data shows a rate of 43%. This trend highlights why it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence rather than relying solely on historical averages. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a prudent step.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial 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 regarding your ability to perform past work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert Freedman's 41% lifetime rate provides context, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may strengthen your claim.