Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While Lori L. Freund has a 71% approval rate across her record since 2016, her latest-period approval rate of 70% sits 1 point above the Spokane office average of 69%. These figures are derived from 3,735 decisions on record, providing a stable statistical baseline. 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 Freund'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 Lori L. Freund has shown a varied trend, moving from 76% in 2016 to a low of 60% in 2021 before reaching 70% in 2026. With 3,735 total decisions on record, the data reflects a judge who has navigated shifting caseloads over the last decade. The latest-period approval rate of 70% suggests a return toward the long-term average after recent fluctuations.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Freund'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 Spokane hearing office
Lori L. Freund's most recent office on record is the Spokane hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 69%, you can expect a review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 4 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file (July 2026). Approval rates among this bench range from 48% to 78% on their since-2016 records.
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
Lori L. Freund has a 71% approval rate on her record since 2016, which sits within the 48% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Spokane hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Lori L. Freund has fluctuated over time, ranging from a high of 79% in 2025 to a low of 60% in 2021. These variations highlight why a well-documented case is essential for your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with current trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, you should focus on building the strongest possible case regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Having legal representation can ensure your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly organized for the judge's review. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
