Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. Lesley Troope's 68% approval rate since 2016 sits within the range of 35% to 70% observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena. With 1,817 decisions on record, this data provides a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Troope. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Troope'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 trend for Lesley Troope has fluctuated since 2016. After starting at 64% in 2016, the rate reached 70% in 2018. More recently, the data shows an uptick, with the rate reaching 74% in 2022. These shifts across 1,817 decisions on record suggest that the judge's approach to evidence may evolve over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Troope'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 Pasadena hearing office
The Pasadena hearing office serves claimants in the California region. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Pasadena hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 35% to 70%.
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
Lesley Troope has an approval rate of 68% on record since 2016. This places her within the 35% to 70% range of approval rates for the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years. It moved from 64% in 2016 to 74% in 2022 across 1,817 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to present the strongest case possible.
The 68% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
