Approval rates
The approval rates for D. Burgess Stalley reflect a significant volume of cases, providing a stable statistical baseline for review. At the Mobile hearing office, the lifetime approval rates among judges range from 28% to 81%, placing this judge at the higher end of the local spectrum. In the most recent reporting period, the judge maintained a 92% approval rate, which sits 17 points above the office average. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Stalley'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, the approval trend for D. Burgess Stalley has shown a notable shift. After a period of fluctuation, the data indicates a rising trend in recent years, with the most recent approval rate of 92% marking a continuation of high favorable outcomes. This pattern suggests that recent case evaluations have resulted in a higher frequency of favorable decisions compared to the judge's earlier years on the record. These trends are often influenced by changes in case complexity and the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stalley'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Mobile hearing office
The Mobile hearing office serves you across the region, operating as a key hub for disability adjudications in Alabama. With a bench of 18 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 75%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Mobile 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 your assignment to D. Burgess Stalley is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported data in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 28% to 81% over their respective careers. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
D. Burgess Stalley has a lifetime approval rate of 81%, which is at the top of the range for the 18 judges who have served at the Mobile office. While this is higher than many peers, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to best fit the expectations of this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for D. Burgess Stalley has trended upward in recent years. While the lifetime rate is 81%, the most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 92%. Trends like this are common and can be discussed with a qualified attorney to help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While D. Burgess Stalley has an 81% lifetime approval rate, your success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.