Who decides cases at this office
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 90%. Because cases are assigned randomly, which judge you draw matters as much as the office average. Each ALJ weighs evidence differently, so your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sara L. Alston | 90% | 507 | |
| 2 | Leroy C. Bryant | 83% | 1,717 | |
| 3 | Ramon Suris-Fernandez | 76% | 1,509 | |
| 4 | Jeffrey Mastin | 70% | 2,398 | |
| 5 | Lawrence Levey | 61% | 2,400 | |
| 6 | David S. Pang | 59% | 1,149 | |
| 7 | Christopher L. Dillon | 57% | 382 | |
| 8 | Yvette N. Diamond | 56% | 2,901 | |
| 9 | Stanley K. Chin | 56% | 3,105 | |
| 10 | Michael J. Kopicki | 55% | 2,025 | |
| 11 | Paul D. Barker Jr. | 48% | 1,806 | |
| 12 | Laureen Penn | 45% | 3,011 | |
| 13 | James R. McHenry III | 44% | 432 | |
| 14 | Charlie M. Johnson | 40% | 2,118 |
Denied before you got here? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
How long you'll wait
At Baltimore, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 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
With a 9-month wait, you have a significant window to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your most critical task is gathering updated medical records, specifically those detailing your limitations since your last denial. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and side effects from any medications. During the hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a vocational expert will likely testify about available work. You can question this expert, making it vital to have your physical and mental limitations clearly documented. Once the hearing concludes, the final decision will arrive by mail.
When a panel's approval rates span 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney uses the 9-month wait to pressure-test your medical evidence against the standards an ALJ will apply.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Baltimore, 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 average wait for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This is slightly longer than the 8.2-month national average, providing you with extra time to ensure your medical evidence is complete. An attorney can help you manage this timeline effectively.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 14 judges on the Baltimore panel. Because approval rates vary widely across these judges, it is important to have a well-documented file that addresses your specific limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the possibility of appearing before any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the Social Security Administration to ensure impartiality. An experienced attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively to any judge on the panel.
While not required, having an attorney can significantly improve your chances. They can help you navigate the complex requirements of an ALJ hearing and ensure your medical records are properly submitted before the deadline. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.