Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data sets. C. Rene Strong's 92% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader 21% to 92% range observed across the Montgomery bench. When looking at the latest reporting period, the 92% approval rate stands 21 points above the office average of 71%, 30 points above the state average of 62%, and 34 points above the 58% national average.
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 Strong'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 record for C. Rene Strong includes 239 decisions starting from 2016. The data shows a steady approval pattern, with the most recent 2026 reporting period maintaining a 92% approval rate. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence and disability criteria.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Strong'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 Montgomery hearing office
The Montgomery hearing office serves claimants throughout Alabama. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 71%. You can see the Montgomery Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA 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, 9 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 92% over their respective lifetimes.
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
C. Rene Strong's 92% lifetime approval rate is at the high end of the 21% to 92% range seen across the 17 judges on record at the Montgomery office. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this courtroom.
The data for C. Rene Strong shows a steady approval pattern. With 239 lifetime decisions on record, the judge has maintained a consistent approach, with the 2026 reporting period showing a 92% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with these trends.
No. The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but a qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of who 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 may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
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 C. Rene Strong has a 92% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.