Who decides cases at this office
The 13 judges at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 43% to 75% with a median of 54%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to meet the standards of any judge on the panel, regardless of who is assigned to your case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel A. Traver | 75% | 1,300 | |
| 2 | Roland D. Mather | 69% | 63 | |
| 3 | Patrick B. Kimberlin III | 61% | 307 | |
| 4 | Susan Brock | 58% | 4,312 | |
| 5 | Stacey L. Foster | 57% | 4,076 | |
| 6 | Brandie Hall | 56% | 2,994 | |
| 7 | Dennis L. Pickett | 54% | 1,879 | |
| 8 | William C. Zuber | 51% | 5,011 | |
| 9 | Dennis Lyndell Pickett | 51% | 4,006 | |
| 10 | Candace A. McDaniel | 50% | 4,491 | |
| 11 | Eric Anschuetz | 49% | 2,948 | |
| 12 | Steven Collins | 45% | 4,646 | |
| 13 | Michael J. Nichols | 43% | 90 |
How long you'll wait
At Louisville, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
Because hearings in Louisville move faster than the national pace, you have less time to finalize your evidence before your date is set. Your primary goal is to ensure the Social Security Administration has your most recent medical records, as these are the foundation of your claim. Beyond your medical history, bring a detailed log of your daily activities and a list of your medications, including any side effects that interfere with your ability to work. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a vocational expert will often testify about jobs that might fit your limitations. You will have the opportunity to question this expert. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are strictly limited.
Hearings at this office come up quickly, leaving little room for error once your date is set. While the 53% allowance rate is standard, the meaningful variation across the panel means your documentation must be airtight to overcome the inconsistencies of random judge assignment. An attorney can help you identify the specific vocational issues that often decide cases at this stage.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Louisville, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait time for a hearing at the Louisville office is 7 months. This is faster than the national average of 8.2 months, so it is important to have your medical evidence ready early. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete before your hearing date is scheduled.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 13 judges at the Louisville office. Because there is a moderate spread in allowance rates across the panel, your attorney will focus on building a strong case that addresses the specific criteria used by all judges. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to any judge on the panel.
Generally, you cannot request a specific judge. However, if there is a conflict of interest, you should discuss this with your attorney immediately to determine if a formal request for reassignment is appropriate. An attorney can help you navigate the process of requesting a change if a valid conflict exists.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is complex and involves testimony from vocational experts. Statistics show that represented claimants are better prepared to handle these questions and present their evidence effectively. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions a vocational expert may ask.