Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the 4,627 decisions on record since 2016. By comparing this 72% approval rate against the 47% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville, you can see how this judge fits into the broader local context. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Taylor. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Taylor'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 William F. Taylor has shown variation across the 4,627 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 76% in 2016, the rate shifted before reaching 81% in 2025. This trend reflects a consistent volume of activity over the years, with the latest period showing an uptick compared to the historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Taylor'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 Nashville hearing office
William F. Taylor's most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Nashville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville, with approval rates ranging from 47% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide environment is helpful.
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
Judge Taylor has a 72% approval rate across 4,627 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 47% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for William F. Taylor has fluctuated over the years, starting at 76% in 2016 and reaching 81% in 2025. While these yearly shifts occur, the judge has maintained a consistent record of 4,627 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The 72% approval rate for William F. Taylor represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible before your hearing.
