Approval rates
The Oakland hearing office features a bench with lifetime approval rates ranging from 26% to 84%. Comparing individual records helps you understand the environment of your upcoming hearing. These figures are based on 1,875 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2022. These rates reflect historical data rather than a prediction for your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Williams Jr.. 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 Williams Jr.'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Major Williams Jr. has remained consistent. With 1,875 lifetime decisions on record, the data reflects a stable approach to case evaluation. While yearly fluctuations occur, the overall trend indicates a consistent approach to weighing evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Williams Jr.'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Oakland hearing office
The Oakland hearing office serves you throughout the California region. It maintains a bench of 16 judges on record who handle a wide variety of disability claims. You can expect a professional environment focused on the review of your medical evidence. You can see the Oakland Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, making your specific judge assignment essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 6 currently reporting in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 84%.
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
Major Williams Jr. sits at the higher end of the Oakland bench, which features a wide lifetime approval range of 26% to 84%. Because your case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
The approval rate for Major Williams Jr. has held steady across his 1,875 lifetime decisions since 2016. While yearly percentages vary, the long-term data shows a consistent approach. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards this judge typically requires.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Working with an attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Major Williams Jr. has an 84% lifetime approval rate, your success depends on the specific facts and medical documentation in your file. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.