Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's 45% approval rate covers all decisions since 2016, the latest-period data provides a snapshot of current trends. The Birmingham hearing office bench shows a wide range of outcomes, from 28% to 85% on since-2016 records. These figures offer a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment.
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 Johnson'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 rate for Lisa M. Johnson has fluctuated across the 3,202 decisions on record since 2016. After a high of 59% in 2016, the rate saw a period of decline before stabilizing in recent years. The latest-period approval rate of 44% remains consistent with the broader trend observed over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Johnson'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 Birmingham hearing office
Lisa M. Johnson's most recent office on record is the Birmingham hearing office, which serves claimants across Alabama. This office maintains a bench of 23 judges, reflecting a diverse range of decision patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 49%, providing context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Birmingham
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your specific judge is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the Birmingham hearing office, with 7 of them having decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 85% 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
Lisa M. Johnson has an approval rate of 45% on 3,202 decisions since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 28% to 85% seen among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is Birmingham. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific case strategy.
The approval rate has shifted over time, starting at 59% in 2016 and moving to 44% in the latest reporting period. These fluctuations are common as case mixes and evidence standards evolve. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing by analyzing how these trends may impact your claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations from the judge and potentially a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. While Lisa M. Johnson's 45% rate provides context, your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA regulations are the primary factors in your case. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to strengthen your position.
