Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While Michelle Thompson has a 74% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows an 87% approval rate, which sits 17 points above the Los Angeles Downtown office average of 70%. These figures are based on a substantial docket of 3,814 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Thompson'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, Michelle Thompson has maintained a generally upward trend in her approval rates. While the record shows some fluctuation, the most recent data indicates an 87% approval rate, suggesting a shift toward higher allowance levels compared to your earlier years on the bench. This pattern reflects a continuation of her recent activity, which has seen approval rates climb from 65% in 2021 to 86% in 2026.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thompson'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 Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown hearing office serves you across California and is part of a busy regional network. The office bench consists of 10 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 70%. You can expect a high volume of cases and should ensure your medical evidence is well-organized before your appearance. See the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom reported in the latest period, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 38% to 78%. 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
Michelle Thompson's latest-period approval rate of 87% is 17 points higher than the Los Angeles Downtown office average of 70%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case specifically for the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, her approval rate has trended upward in recent years. After a 65% approval rate in 2021, her performance reached 86% in 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence requirements for your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your records and prepare your testimony to meet the specific expectations of the judge presiding over your case.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Michelle Thompson has a 74% lifetime approval rate, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare accordingly.