Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 38% to 85%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs medical evidence and vocational testimony differently. This wide spread means your preparation must be robust enough to address the specific concerns of any judge on the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louis J. Volz | 85% | 60 | |
| 2 | Kerry J. Anzalone | 84% | 2,751 | |
| 3 | Glynn F. Voisin | 76% | 1,321 | |
| 4 | John R. Burgess | 75% | 1,743 | |
| 5 | Charlotte N. White | 74% | 2,107 | |
| 6 | Louis J. Volz III | 71% | 3,834 | |
| 7 | Christopher H. Juge | 62% | 3,799 | |
| 8 | Nancy M. Pizzo | 55% | 3,035 | |
| 9 | Mary Gattuso | 53% | 1,143 | |
| 10 | Kelley Day | 49% | 2,298 | |
| 11 | Tamia N. Gordon | 48% | 987 | |
| 12 | Monica J. Anderson | 47% | 3,105 | |
| 13 | Thomas G. Henderson | 43% | 3,143 | |
| 14 | Christine Hilleren | 41% | 1,096 | |
| 15 | John M. Dowling | 40% | 3,269 | |
| 16 | Jim Fraiser | 39% | 4,332 | |
| 17 | Jeffery D. Morgan | 38% | 3,415 |
How long you'll wait
At New Orleans, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9.5 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 is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review the evidence that led to your initial denial. With a 9.5-month wait, you have a critical window to update your medical records and secure statements from doctors regarding your functional limitations. During the hearing, you will likely face questions from the judge and a vocational expert about your ability to perform past or alternative work. It is essential to have a clear, documented list of your medications and their side effects, as these often impact your ability to sustain employment. Because the evidence-submission deadline is strict, ensure all new records are filed well before your date. A well-documented file is your strongest tool for success at this stage.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While you wait for your hearing date, you can identify gaps in your medical history and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to succeed at the hearing stage, as they are better prepared to navigate the specific requirements of the ALJ assigned to their case.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at New Orleans, 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 time for a hearing at this office is 9.5 months. This has been trending upward recently, providing you with more time to ensure your medical evidence is complete. An attorney can help you use this time to build a more effective case.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly. Because there is a wide spread in approval rates among the 17 judges associated with this office, it is important to prepare for your hearing based on the strength of your medical evidence rather than the specific judge assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the different styles of judges you might encounter.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, you should discuss them with a qualified attorney who can advise you on the proper procedures for addressing such issues.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is a complex legal proceeding where your testimony and medical records are scrutinized. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the vocational expert's questions, which are often the deciding factor in a claim.
