Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing prospects, compare Laura L. Robinson's performance against the broader bench at the Mobile hearing office. While the judge maintains a 65% approval rate since 2016, the office bench shows a range of outcomes from 28% to 81%. In the most recent reporting period, Laura L. Robinson recorded a 74% approval rate, which sits 1 percentage point below the office average of 75%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than individual case outcomes.
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 Robinson'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 January 2016, Laura L. Robinson has issued 3,950 decisions. The approval trend shows a pattern over the years, with recent performance differing from earlier records. While the approval rate was 60% in 2016, the most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 74% approval rate. This shift reflects changes in case mix or evidence quality, as the latest period diverges from the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Robinson'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
The Mobile hearing office serves you and other claimants across Alabama and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 75%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. For more information, see the Mobile Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Mobile office, and 10 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 28% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains consistent regardless of your assigned judge.
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
Laura L. Robinson's 65% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 28% to 81% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile. While this provides context, your specific outcome depends on the unique medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. While the judge maintained a 60% approval rate in 2016, the most recent data through July 2026 shows a 74% approval rate. This trend indicates that recent decisions have been more favorable than the long-term average. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will participate to discuss your ability to perform work. Having legal representation can help ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Laura L. Robinson's 65% rate since 2016 provides insight into the judge's history, the success of your case ultimately relies on the medical documentation and testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case before you appear.
