Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 53% approval rate on record since 2016 for Alan J. Markiewicz sits within the 19% to 68% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Markiewicz. 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 Markiewicz'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Alan J. Markiewicz has fluctuated between 49% and 56% across 3,258 total decisions on record. The yearly trend shows consistent activity, with the most recent data from 2024 showing a 49% approval rate. This pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Markiewicz'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 Orange hearing office
The Orange hearing office is the most recent office on record for Alan J. Markiewicz as of September 2024. It is staffed by a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Orange hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orange
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 19% to 68%.
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
Alan J. Markiewicz has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 19% to 68% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively before this judge.
The approval rate for Alan J. Markiewicz has remained steady, with yearly figures ranging from 49% to 56% across 3,258 decisions on record. While there is minor annual variation, the overall pattern has been consistent. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.
The 53% approval rate on record since 2016 for Alan J. Markiewicz is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your specific circumstances.
