Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. James E. Williams has an approval rate of 48% across 3,744 decisions on record since 2016, placing him within the 27% to 74% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. In the most recent reporting period, his 49% approval rate sits 12 points below the 61% office average, 16 points below the 65% state average, and 9 points below the 58% national average. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 approval rate for James E. Williams has shown a varied trajectory across the 3,744 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of fluctuation, the data shows a rise in approvals between 2022 and 2024 before a recent shift. The latest period, which includes 391 decisions, reflects a 49% approval rate. This recent figure suggests a stabilization following the 2024 peak, and the current pattern remains a point of interest as you prepare for your hearing.
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 Raleigh hearing office
James E. Williams' most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%, you can expect a thorough evaluation of your evidence. You can see the Raleigh hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, and 10 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent 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
James E. Williams has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This falls within the 27% to 74% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for James E. Williams has fluctuated over time. It began at 40% in 2016, rose to 58% in 2024, and is currently at 49% for the latest period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case fully prepared regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While it provides context on a judge's history, the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in a decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
