Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, ranging from 44% to 74% with a median of 62%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence according to their own interpretation of the law. This variation means your file must be robust enough to support your claim regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary S. Connolly | 74% | 1,461 | |
| 2 | Dennis M. Matulewicz | 74% | 3,564 | |
| 3 | Ramona L. Fernandez | 68% | 3,248 | |
| 4 | Donald G. D'Amato | 64% | 4,513 | |
| 5 | David A. Mason | 63% | 198 | |
| 6 | Patrick J. MacLean | 62% | 2,495 | |
| 7 | John Dodson | 62% | 2,196 | |
| 8 | David A. Mason Jr. | 62% | 2,578 | |
| 9 | Richard L. Sasena | 62% | 689 | |
| 10 | Robert J. Chavez | 61% | 3,061 | |
| 11 | B. L. Blair | 60% | 1,544 | |
| 12 | Sarah R. Smisek | 59% | 3,690 | |
| 13 | Martha M. Gasparovich | 56% | 2,574 | |
| 14 | Anthony R. Smereka | 54% | 4,536 | |
| 15 | Christopher J. Mattia | 53% | 3,447 | |
| 16 | Henry Perez Jr. | 52% | 498 | |
| 17 | Allison Dietz | 48% | 3,318 | |
| 18 | Lauren G. Burstein | 44% | 3,274 |
How long you'll wait
At Livonia, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 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, typically lasting about an hour. You should arrive with updated medical records that document your condition since your last denial, as these are the most important pieces of evidence. A vocational expert often testifies to explain what types of work, if any, you can perform given your limitations. You and your representative have the right to question this expert to clarify how your specific symptoms prevent you from maintaining employment. Ensure your medication list and daily activity logs are current, as the judge will use these to assess your functional capacity. Decisions are rarely made on the spot; you will receive a written notice by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
With a moderate spread in judge approval rates, your file must be strong enough that no ALJ can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While many claimants wait months for their date, you can use that time to pressure-test your medical evidence against the vocational standards the judge will apply. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to succeed at this stage because they arrive with a clear, evidence-based narrative that anticipates the vocational expert's testimony.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Livonia, 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 for a hearing at the Livonia office is 8 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, which provides additional time to gather necessary medical documentation. An attorney can help you use this time to build a stronger case.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly, so you will not know which judge will hear your case until your notice of hearing arrives. Because approval rates across the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one vary from 44% to 74%, having a well-prepared file is essential. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of the judge assigned to your case.
You generally cannot request a specific 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 step is appropriate for your case.
While there is no strict dress code, you should dress in a way that is neat and respectful, similar to how you would dress for a job interview. The focus of the hearing is on your medical evidence, but presenting yourself professionally shows the judge you take the process seriously. An attorney can help you understand what to expect during the hearing proceedings.
You are not required to have a lawyer, but the complexity of the hearing process—especially the testimony of the vocational expert—often makes representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to maximize your chances of approval.
