Approval rates
The 58% approval rate for Jon L. Lawritson reflects 963 decisions on record since 2016. This provides a view of the judge's historical pattern when compared to the 31% to 75% range seen among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lawritson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lawritson'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 Jon L. Lawritson was 61% in 2016, 60% in 2017, and 51% in 2018. These 963 total decisions on record since 2016 illustrate how the judge's pattern evolved over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lawritson'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 Denver hearing office
The Denver hearing office is the most recent office on record for 22 judges as of September 2018. You can see the Denver hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 75% 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
Jon L. Lawritson has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 31% to 75% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of this office.
The approval rate for Jon L. Lawritson was 61% in 2016, 60% in 2017, and 51% in 2018. These 963 decisions on record since 2016 show how the judge's pattern shifted over time. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your own disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
The 58% approval rate for Jon L. Lawritson is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
