Approval rates
The 60% approval rate for Dennis O'Leary covers his entire record since 2016. This figure sits within the 20% to 73% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge O'Leary. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge O'Leary'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 1,837 decisions on record for Dennis O'Leary since 2016 show a fluctuating trend. After an approval rate of 56% in 2016, the figures reached a high of 65% in 2019 before settling at 53% in 2020. These variations often stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the medical evidence presented during a specific year. Your outcome will depend heavily on the specific documentation supporting your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge O'Leary'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 claimants across New Jersey. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%. You can expect a review of your medical records and vocational history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark, and their approval rates since 2016 vary from 20% to 73%. Because of this variance, understanding the general environment of the office is helpful for your preparation.
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
Dennis O'Leary has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This places him within the 20% to 73% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Dennis O'Leary has fluctuated over time, moving from 56% in 2016 to 65% in 2019 and 53% in 2020. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building the strongest possible case for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities, pain levels, and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are clearly presented.
The 60% approval rate for Dennis O'Leary is a historical average, not a guarantee of how he will rule in your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and the strength of your disability claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case against the standards this judge typically applies.
