Approval rates
The approval rate for Lanier Williams is based on 2,964 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Hattiesburg hearing office, where judges range from 25% to 76% in their approval rates over the same period. This range highlights how individual judicial patterns vary even within the same office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Williams. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
Since 2016, your approval rate for Lanier Williams has remained relatively steady, with minor annual fluctuations. After an initial period of variance, the rate settled into a consistent pattern through the most recent data window ending in September 2025. This stability suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation over the long term.
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 Hattiesburg hearing office
Lanier Williams' most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, which serves you if you are in the Mississippi area. With 11 judges on the bench, the office maintains a diverse range of decision patterns. You can see the Hattiesburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, and they show a wide range of approval rates from 25% to 76%. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Lanier Williams has an approval rate of 28% on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 76% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Lanier Williams has held relatively steady since 2016. While there is year-to-year variation, the overall pattern remains consistent across the 2,964 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
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 important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
