Approval rates
The 42% approval rate for Laurie Wardell reflects 3,257 decisions on record since 2016. This provides a view of her decision history compared to the 41% to 82% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wardell. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Wardell'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
Laurie Wardell's approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 36% in 2016 and reaching 42% in 2024. Her record shows annual variations, such as 47% in 2023 and 43% in 2022, reflecting the case-by-case nature of disability adjudication.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wardell'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 Chicago hearing office
Laurie Wardell's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges, each with distinct decision patterns on record since 2016. You can see the Chicago hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge maintains a unique approach to evidence, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant variable.
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
Laurie Wardell has an approval rate of 42% across 3,257 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 41% to 82% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Her approval rate has seen annual variations, moving from 36% in 2016 to 42% in 2024. While these shifts occur, the overall pattern remains consistent over the 3,257 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. The judge will ask questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
The 42% approval rate for Laurie Wardell is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to support your claim.
