Approval rates
We evaluate the lifetime approval rate of Harry L. Williams against the broader performance range of the Houston North bench. By focusing on his 219 lifetime decisions, you can see how his record compares to the office-wide lifetime range of 34% to 64%. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions 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 Williams'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 record for Harry L. Williams covers 219 lifetime decisions. In the most recent reporting period, his 64% approval rate sits 8 percentage points above the Houston North office average of 56%. This indicates a stable decision-making pattern that remains consistent with his established record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Williams'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 Houston North hearing office
The Houston North hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region as a hub for SSDI hearings in Texas. The office maintains a bench of 12 judges on record, with a latest-period approval rate of 56%. You can expect a formal process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can find more information on the Houston North Hearing Office page.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm. There are 12 judges on record at this office, and approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 34% to 64% over their respective careers. Your preparation should remain focused on the strength of your medical evidence regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Harry L. Williams has a lifetime approval rate of 63% across 219 lifetime decisions. This places him within the upper end of the office-wide lifetime range of 34% to 64%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for his courtroom.
His approval rate has remained steady, with a 63% approval rate recorded in 2026. His latest-period performance of 64% indicates that his decision-making pattern is consistent with his historical record. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a robust case is the best way to ensure you are ready for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You will likely be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented. An attorney can help you navigate this process.