Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence show a moderate spread in outcomes, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 73%. This variation means that which judge you draw can influence your case, as each ALJ weighs evidence differently. Because cases are assigned randomly, you should prepare your file to meet the highest standard of evidence regardless of the specific judge assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan P. Baird | 73% | 3,804 | |
| 2 | Timothy Belford | 58% | 3,871 | |
| 3 | Anthony Dziepak | 57% | 3,674 | |
| 4 | Brian Curley | 55% | 1,054 | |
| 5 | John Benson | 50% | 3,342 | |
| 6 | Ellen P. Bush | 46% | 3,005 | |
| 7 | Patricia M. French | 41% | 562 |
How long you'll wait
At Lawrence, 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 is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review your claim. Because the Lawrence office has a moderate spread in judge approval rates, your file must be thorough. Bring an updated list of medications, a log of your daily limitations, and any new medical records generated since your initial denial. A vocational expert will likely testify regarding your ability to perform work, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will typically arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
With a 9-month wait between filing and your hearing, you have a critical window of time to refine your case. You can use this period to identify gaps in your medical record that an ALJ might use to deny your claim. While the 61% approval rate at this office is encouraging, represented claimants are consistently more successful at the hearing stage because they are prepared for the vocational expert's testimony. You can use this time to have a professional evaluate your file before you walk into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Lawrence, 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 months. This is slightly longer than the national average of 8.2 months, but the wait time has been trending downward recently. An attorney can help you understand how this timeline affects your case strategy.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence. Because approval rates across this panel vary from 41% to 73%, it is important to have a well-documented case that stands up to scrutiny regardless of the judge assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. However, if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, you or your attorney can file a formal objection. An attorney can help you evaluate if such a motion is appropriate for your case.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is the most complex part of the SSDI process. Given the variation in judge approval rates at this office, having representation can help ensure your medical evidence is properly presented to the ALJ. An attorney can help you navigate these complexities.
