Approval rates
The approval rate for Christopher Willis is 47% across 4,537 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 35% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC, this figure provides a baseline for understanding his historical decision-making. In the most recent reporting period, his 42% approval rate sits 23 points below the office-wide average of 65%.
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 Willis'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 Christopher Willis has fluctuated, showing a peak of 59% in 2017 and 42% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 4,537 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. The latest-period approval rate of 42% is lower than his long-term average, which may reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Willis'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 Fayetteville NC hearing office
Fayetteville NC is the most recent office on record for Christopher Willis, with decisions logged there through July 2026. This office serves claimants in North Carolina, and its bench consists of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 65%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 78% on their since-2016 records.
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
Christopher Willis has a 47% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 35% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Christopher Willis has seen variation, starting at 49% in 2016 and reaching 42% in the most recent fiscal year to date. While the rate has fluctuated, it has remained within a consistent range over the last decade. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. 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 the evidence of your disability. You will likely answer questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and work experience. Because the process is complex, an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Christopher Willis has approved 47% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
