Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary, as approval rates across the panel range from 25% to 75%. Because cases are assigned randomly, the judge you draw can influence your result. This variation means your file must stand on its own merits, as each judge weighs evidence differently.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joy Turner | 75% | 4,044 | |
| 2 | James N. Gramenos | 69% | 203 | |
| 3 | Jennifer Overstreet | 57% | 3,121 | |
| 4 | Elias Xenos | 56% | 3,363 | |
| 5 | John J. Rabaut | 53% | 584 | |
| 6 | Therese Tobin | 53% | 3,838 | |
| 7 | Jacquelyn A. McClinton | 49% | 887 | |
| 8 | Carol Guyton | 47% | 2,825 | |
| 9 | Crystal L. White-Simmons | 45% | 3,603 | |
| 10 | Mary D. Morrow | 44% | 3,495 | |
| 11 | Colleen M. Mamelka | 39% | 2,807 | |
| 12 | Ethel Revels | 25% | 55 |
How long you'll wait
At Detroit, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
Hearings at this office move faster than the national norm, so you must prioritize updating your medical records immediately. You will appear before an ALJ where a vocational expert will likely testify about available work. Your prep should focus on a detailed medication list, side-effect logs, and statements that clarify your daily functional limits. Evidence must be submitted well before the hearing date to ensure it is considered. Once the hearing concludes, you will receive a written decision by mail.
Hearings at this office come up quickly, leaving little room for error once your date is set. When a panel's approval rates span 50 points, your file must be strong enough to withstand scrutiny regardless of which judge presides. Focusing on objective medical documentation remains the most effective way to address these variations in judicial approach.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Detroit, 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 current average wait time at the Detroit hearing office is 7 months, which is faster than the 8.2-month national average. An attorney can help you manage your timeline to ensure your evidence is ready.
Cases are assigned randomly to judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary across the panel, an attorney can help you understand the specific evidence requirements for this office.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA to ensure impartiality. Your best strategy is to build a robust, evidence-backed file that addresses your specific impairments regardless of who presides. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
While not required, representation is recommended given the wide variation in judge approval rates. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert testimony that often decides the outcome.
