Approval rates
The approval rates for Tracey B. Leibowitz reflect a significant volume of cases heard at the Miami OHO. When comparing this judge to the broader office, the latest-period approval rate of 48% sits 15 percentage points below the office average of 63%. These figures are based on a docket of 3,860 lifetime decisions. These statistics represent historical trends rather than a fixed outcome for your 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 Leibowitz'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 trend for Tracey B. Leibowitz has shown notable fluctuation since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates between 2016 and 2019, the judge saw a rise in approvals, peaking at 70% in 2024 before shifting to 48% in the most recent reporting period. These shifts reflect changes in the complexity of cases and the evidence presented over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Leibowitz'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 Miami OHO hearing office
The Miami OHO serves a large population in Florida, handling a high volume of disability claims. The office features a bench of 13 judges who maintain an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can visit the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/miami-FL Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Tracey B. Leibowitz is essentially random. Across the 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, lifetime approval rates range from 32% to 83%. With 8 judges currently reporting in the latest period, you may be assigned to any member of this diverse bench. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
In the latest reporting period, Judge Leibowitz had an approval rate of 48%, which is 15 percentage points lower than the 63% average for the Miami OHO. An attorney can help you understand how to best present your medical evidence to meet the requirements of this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Tracey B. Leibowitz has fluctuated, reaching a high of 70% in 2024 before adjusting to 48% in the most recent period. These trends highlight why a strong, well-documented case is essential regardless of recent statistical shifts.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions the judge is likely to ask.
The 51% lifetime approval rate for Tracey B. Leibowitz is a historical metric, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors in your file, which an attorney can help you highlight.