Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Peter R. Lee maintains a 20% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate of 24% sits below the Newark office average of 55%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 2,540 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Lee'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 record for Peter R. Lee, spanning from 2016 to 2026, shows a distinct trend in approval outcomes. After a period of decline reaching a low of 9% in 2021, the approval rate has seen a gradual recovery, reaching 24% in the most recent reporting period. This shift suggests that recent outcomes differ from the earlier years of the data window. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent stabilization in decision patterns.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lee'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 Newark hearing office
The Newark hearing office serves you throughout New Jersey, operating under the Office of Hearings Operations. This office manages a diverse caseload with a bench of 17 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%, reflecting the broader environment in which your case will be heard.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. The Newark office bench consists of 17 judges on record since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Lifetime approval rates across this office range from 20% to 73%.
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
Peter R. Lee has a lifetime approval rate of 20%, which sits at the lower end of the Newark office's lifetime range of 20% to 73%. Because approval rates vary significantly across the bench, having a qualified attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a trend of fluctuation. After reaching a low of 9% in 2021, the approval rate for Peter R. Lee has trended upward to 24% in the most recent period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a Vocational Expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear.