Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers requires looking at the same data window. The most relevant benchmark is the range of approval rates among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Franklin TN hearing office. These judges show a wide variance, with since-2016 approval rates ranging from 29% to 76%. 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 Smith. The most recent period with decisions on record is May 27, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Smith'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 approval rate for Shannon H. Smith is based on 235 decisions on record since 2016. During the recorded window of January 2016 through May 2016, the data shows an approval rate of 34%. Because this record covers a specific, limited timeframe, it reflects the judge's activity during that period. This pattern provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically approached cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Smith'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 Franklin TN hearing office
The Franklin TN hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse caseload. While office-wide approval rates can offer a general sense of the environment, each judge maintains their own approach to evaluating evidence. You can see the Franklin TN hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Franklin TN
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Franklin TN hearing office, there are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges exhibit a broad spectrum of approval rates, ranging from 29% to 76% on their since-2016 records. You can review the office's full roster to see how these patterns vary 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
Shannon H. Smith has an approval rate of 34% based on 235 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 29% to 76% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Franklin TN hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The data for Shannon H. Smith covers the period from January 2016 to May 2016, during which the approval rate was 34%. Because this record is limited to that specific window, it represents a stable pattern for that time. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure impartiality. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are organized for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Shannon H. Smith has a 34% approval rate on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific needs of your hearing.
