Approval rates
Evaluating your chances requires looking at the data in context. Bernard Porter’s lifetime approval rate of 44% sits within the broader Jacksonville office range of 33% to 78%. In the most recent reporting period, his 53% approval rate tracks 2 points above the office-wide average of 51%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical foundation.
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 Porter'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, Bernard Porter has maintained a steady decision record. While his approval rate has fluctuated year-to-year, the trend shows a notable increase in recent periods, moving from 41% in 2021 to 53% in 2026. This recent activity suggests a shift in the outcomes of cases heard in his courtroom. Understanding this trajectory is helpful, as the latest period reflects a continuation of this upward trend in approvals.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Porter'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 Jacksonville hearing office
The Jacksonville hearing office serves you across northern Florida, managing a high volume of disability cases. With a bench of 17 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Jacksonville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 78% over their respective careers.
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
Bernard Porter’s lifetime approval rate of 44% is positioned within the 33% to 78% range seen across the Jacksonville bench. While he is one of 17 judges on record at this office, his latest-period approval rate of 53% is 2 points higher than the office-wide average of 51%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his decision patterns. After hovering around 41% in 2021, his approval rate has trended upward, reaching 53% in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these recent trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Bernard Porter has approved 44% of the 3,788 cases on his lifetime record, every case is decided based on its own unique evidence. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific requirements of your disability.