Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. The 71% approval rate for Robert J. Labrum reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 28% to 85% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Salt Lake City. Latest-period benchmarks for the office, state, and nation provide additional context for current trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Labrum. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Labrum'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 Robert J. Labrum has shown variability across the 1,509 decisions on record since 2016. The rate has fluctuated over the years, reflecting historical activity rather than a fixed rule for your future case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Labrum'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 Salt Lake City hearing office
Robert J. Labrum's most recent office on record is the Salt Lake City hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. This office is staffed by a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Salt Lake City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 28% to 85%.
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 J. Labrum has a 71% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 28% to 85% range of the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Salt Lake City hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Robert J. Labrum has fluctuated over the 1,509 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was 76% in 2016, it has varied in subsequent years, reflecting the unique evidence and case mix presented in each hearing. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a strong, evidence-based case is essential regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations, work history, and symptoms. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Robert J. Labrum's 71% rate on record since 2016 is one data point, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
