Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges ranging from 26% to 67%. Because of this wide variation, the specific ALJ assigned to your case matters as much as the office average. Assignment is random, and each judge weighs evidence differently; your file must be prepared to meet the standards of the most stringent judge on the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Grant | 67% | 4,626 | |
| 2 | Kathleen S. Molinar | 64% | 4,140 | |
| 3 | Stephanie Daniels Smoke | 56% | 1,135 | |
| 4 | Rowena E. DeLoach | 53% | 1,401 | |
| 5 | Steven C. Graalmann | 50% | 146 | |
| 6 | Devona F. Able | 46% | 3,242 | |
| 7 | Carolyn Smilie | 43% | 3,424 | |
| 8 | Lawrence T. Ragona | 35% | 3,616 | |
| 9 | Steven M. Rachal | 33% | 3,409 | |
| 10 | Janet Hollings | 26% | 167 |
How long you'll wait
At Alexandria, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8.2 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
Your hearing in Alexandria is your opportunity to present evidence that was missed during your initial denial. With an 8-month wait, you have a runway to update your medical records, document medication side effects, and log your daily activity limitations. The hearing itself typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, where an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert will often testify regarding jobs that fit your specific functional limits. You and your attorney have the right to question this expert. Ensure all new evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span 41 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. While the 8-month wait provides time to prepare, it also allows for the accumulation of more medical data that must be organized and presented correctly. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to succeed at this stage because they can anticipate the vocational expert's testimony.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Alexandria, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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 average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months. While this is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months, the wait time has been rising recently, making it essential to prepare your evidence early. An attorney can help you manage this timeline.
ALJ assignments are made randomly. Because the approval rates for judges at this office vary widely—from 26% to 67%—your case must be prepared to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for these variables.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a specific assignment, an attorney can help you evaluate your options and ensure your file is presented in the most favorable light.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. Given the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office, an attorney can help you navigate the vocational expert's testimony and ensure your medical records are fully developed.
