Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for individual judges ranging from 38% to 85%. Because this wide spread means your experience may vary depending on which judge is assigned to your case, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits. Remember that random assignment is the standard process, and each judge weighs evidence differently based on their own judicial discretion.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph Shortill | 85% | 280 | |
| 2 | Katherine Morgan | 80% | 846 | |
| 3 | Robert W. Flynn | 76% | 3,299 | |
| 4 | Mary Pamela Hubert | 63% | 1,183 | |
| 5 | Lamar W. Davis | 62% | 546 | |
| 6 | Linda J. Helm | 57% | 1,297 | |
| 7 | John L. Melanson | 57% | 982 | |
| 8 | Christine Cutter | 56% | 3,680 | |
| 9 | Todd S. Holbrook | 49% | 4,179 | |
| 10 | Sarah Zimmerman | 38% | 1,452 |
How long you'll wait
At Portland, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 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 will typically last 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your file and hear testimony. Because the approval rate at this office is high, your primary goal is to ensure your medical records are complete and up-to-date since your last denial. You should bring an organized list of your medications, including side effects, and a daily-activity log that clearly illustrates your physical or mental limitations. A vocational expert will often testify regarding what jobs might exist for someone with your specific restrictions, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Submit all new evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. You will receive the judge's decision by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. The 9-month wait in Portland is not just a delay; it is a preparation runway that you can use to pressure-test your file against the vocational expert's likely testimony, ensuring you are ready for the hearing.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Portland, 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 the Portland office is currently 9 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, so it is important to use this time to build your case. An attorney can help you manage this wait effectively.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges who serve this office. Because there is a wide spread in approval rates among the panel, it is impossible to predict your judge in advance, which is why a well-prepared file is essential. An attorney can help you prepare for the different styles of the judges on this panel.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a specific assignment, you should discuss them with an attorney who understands the local panel's dynamics.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. Given the wide variation in judge approval rates, an attorney can help ensure your evidence is presented in a way that addresses the specific concerns of the ALJ assigned to your case.
