Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with a median of 56% and a range from 37% to 75%. This variation means that while the office average is 54%, your specific outcome may be influenced by the judge assigned to your case. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, making it essential to build a case that is strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carol A. Sax | 75% | 1,792 | |
| 2 | Robert J. Kelly | 70% | 1,406 | |
| 3 | James H. Packer | 67% | 1,642 | |
| 4 | Francis Hurley | 65% | 2,843 | |
| 5 | Noran J. Camp | 64% | 446 | |
| 6 | Joel F. Gardiner | 63% | 103 | |
| 7 | Alexander Klibaner | 58% | 2,938 | |
| 8 | William T. Ross | 56% | 2,826 | |
| 9 | William Ramsey | 54% | 2,071 | |
| 10 | Daniel J. Driscoll | 49% | 2,051 | |
| 11 | Anne Sharrard | 48% | 3,202 | |
| 12 | Henry J. Hogan | 47% | 2,370 | |
| 13 | Stephen C. Fulton | 47% | 1,977 | |
| 14 | Sujata Rodgers | 38% | 3,343 | |
| 15 | Sean Teehan | 37% | 2,924 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location, and their most recent office on record has no hearing-office page on this site. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Boston, 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
With a 9.5-month wait, you have a significant runway to build the medical record an ALJ will weigh. Your primary task is to submit all updated medical records, including recent treatment notes and test results, well before the evidence-submission deadline. During your hearing, you will likely face questions from the ALJ and a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past or other work. Prepare a clear, daily-activity log that highlights your physical or mental limitations, as these details often clarify the testimony provided by experts. Focusing on objective medical evidence remains the most effective way to support your claim.
A 9.5-month wait is time you can use to pressure-test your file against the vocational expert's likely questions. When a panel's approval rates span nearly 40 points, your documentation must be robust enough to address the specific concerns of any judge on the bench. Represented claimants often see better outcomes because their files are prepared to meet the exact evidentiary standards required at the hearing stage.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Boston, 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 9.5 months. While this is longer than the national average of 8.2 months, it provides you with more time to gather and submit critical medical evidence. An attorney can help you manage this timeline.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly, and you cannot request a specific judge. Because approval rates across the panel range from 37% to 75%, it is vital to have a well-prepared case that addresses your specific limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the possibility of appearing before any judge on the panel.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is a complex legal proceeding where your medical evidence and vocational testimony are scrutinized. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare for the questions you will face under oath.
You should dress in neat, professional, or business-casual attire. While your clothing does not determine your medical eligibility, appearing respectful of the court process is a standard part of your hearing preparation. An attorney can help you understand what to expect during the hearing process.
