Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 75% approval rate for Kim McClain-Leazure reflects performance across 293 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the range of 28% to 81% observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McClain-Leazure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McClain-Leazure'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 75% approval rate for Kim McClain-Leazure is based on 293 decisions on record since 2016. The yearly trend shows a 75% approval rate in 2016 and a 67% rate in 2017. These patterns reflect past activity within the data window and do not account for your individual case complexities.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McClain-Leazure'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 Mobile hearing office
Kim McClain-Leazure's most recent office on record is the Mobile hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you and other claimants across Alabama and the surrounding region, supported by a bench of 18 judges. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 81% on their since-2016 records. While individual rates vary, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Kim McClain-Leazure has a 75% approval rate on 293 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 28% to 81% range of the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this hearing office.
The data shows an approval rate of 75% in 2016 and 67% in 2017. These figures represent past decisions on record and do not predict your future outcome. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence and how well it supports your claim. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before you appear before the judge.
