Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While William Wallis maintains a 78% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period performance shows a 76% approval rate, which sits 25 percentage points higher than the St Louis office average of 51%. These figures are based on a significant docket of 3,777 decisions, providing a stable look at past patterns. These rates reflect historical trends rather than guaranteed outcomes for your specific 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 Wallis'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 William Wallis shows a steady rise from 56% in 2016 to a peak of 91% in 2024, followed by a recent adjustment to 76% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Across 3,777 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a judge who has consistently maintained a high allowance rate compared to national benchmarks. The latest period's 76% approval rate remains a strong indicator of his overall approach, suggesting the recent shift is a minor variation rather than a fundamental change in decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wallis'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 St Louis hearing office
The St Louis hearing office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. As of the most recent office on record in July 2026, this office remains a central hub for disability hearings with a bench of 20 judges. The office-wide latest approval rate of 51% provides a baseline for understanding the local environment. You can see the St Louis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. Within the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis, approval rates on record since 2016 range from 30% to 78%. Of these judges, 13 have decided cases in the latest SSA file through July 2026. The office-wide range provides context for the variation you may encounter across the local bench.
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
William Wallis holds a 78% approval rate since 2016, which is at the top end of the range for the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. While other judges at this office have rates as low as 30%, his record suggests a higher frequency of favorable outcomes. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with this judge's specific history.
Yes, the approval rate for William Wallis has evolved over time, starting at 56% in 2016 and reaching a high of 91% in 2024. In the most recent partial 2026 period, his rate is 76%. These fluctuations are common in SSA records and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned to a judge. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency across the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. William Wallis will likely ask questions about your work history, daily limitations, and the specific nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and that all relevant medical evidence is properly entered into the record.
