Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual rates ranging from 37% to 68%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to succeed regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Ambrose | 68% | 3,854 | |
| 2 | James J. Kent | 62% | 3,677 | |
| 3 | Lawrence E. Blatnik | 59% | 2,616 | |
| 4 | Thomas L. Walters | 59% | 960 | |
| 5 | Amy L. Rosenberg | 59% | 3,862 | |
| 6 | Thomas L. English | 52% | 98 | |
| 7 | David Read | 50% | 3,576 | |
| 8 | Brian Burgtorf | 42% | 2,492 | |
| 9 | Paul W. Jones | 37% | 4,396 |
How long you'll wait
At Lansing, 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
With a 7-month wait, your hearing in Lansing will arrive faster than in many other regions, so prioritize submitting updated medical records immediately. Your hearing will involve an ALJ and likely a vocational expert who will testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. Bring your identification and a detailed log of your daily activities and medication side effects to support your testimony. Because the evidence-submission deadline is strict, ensure all new records are filed well before your date. The judge will weigh your medical evidence against the expert's testimony to decide your case, with a final decision arriving by mail weeks later.
Hearings at this office move quickly, leaving little room for error if your evidence is incomplete or poorly organized. When a panel's approval rates span over 30 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. A well-prepared file helps you navigate the moderate approval-rate spread across this panel.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Lansing, 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 to hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you manage your timeline while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to prepare a comprehensive file that addresses all aspects of your disability. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this panel.
You generally cannot request a specific judge. If you have concerns about your assigned ALJ, discuss them with an attorney who can evaluate the procedural options for your specific case.
While you are not required to have an attorney, represented claimants are often more successful. An attorney can help you navigate the moderate approval-rate spread across this panel.
