Approval rates
The approval rates for James W. Sherry are based on 429 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2017. When evaluating these figures, compare them against the broader bench at the Tacoma hearing office, where lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 30% to 78%. This range provides a baseline for understanding how individual judicial patterns vary within the same office. 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 Sherry. 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 Sherry'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 decision record for James W. Sherry covers the period from 2016 to 2017. During this time, your approval rate showed a slight shift, moving from 57% in 2016 to 54% in 2017. This trend reflects a steady approach to case evaluation over the observed window. Because these figures are based on 429 lifetime decisions, they offer a consistent view of how evidence is weighed in this courtroom. The data suggests a stable pattern of adjudication that remains within the expected range for this office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sherry'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 Tacoma hearing office
The Tacoma hearing office serves you throughout the Washington region. With 18 judges on record since 2016, this office manages a diverse caseload and maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 58%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Tacoma Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 30% to 78% over their respective lifetime records. You can view the full roster of judges at the Tacoma hearing office page.
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
James W. Sherry has a lifetime approval rate of 56% based on 429 decisions. This sits within the broader office range of 30% to 78% for all judges on record at the Tacoma hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this bench.
The data for James W. Sherry shows a steady pattern, with approval rates of 57% in 2016 and 54% in 2017. This consistency across 429 lifetime decisions indicates a stable approach to case adjudication. If you are concerned about how your case will be viewed, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Tacoma hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A 56% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before James W. Sherry.