Who decides cases at this office
The 16 judges at this office show a wide spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 26% to 68%. This variation means that the judge assigned to your case can meaningfully impact your hearing experience. While assignments are random, each judge weighs evidence differently, making it essential to have a well-documented case that addresses common vocational concerns.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William G. Brown | 68% | 1,816 | |
| 2 | David B. Washington | 67% | 3,058 | |
| 3 | Richard Thrasher | 63% | 1,445 | |
| 4 | Jeffrey W. Hart | 60% | 3,789 | |
| 5 | Corey Ayling | 60% | 4,022 | |
| 6 | Michael D. Quayle | 58% | 445 | |
| 7 | Sarah Lough | 56% | 979 | |
| 8 | Peter Kimball | 53% | 4,195 | |
| 9 | Micah Pharris | 47% | 3,653 | |
| 10 | Nicholas Grey | 46% | 2,675 | |
| 11 | Virginia Kuhn | 46% | 1,918 | |
| 12 | Joshua Klasic | 46% | 1,076 | |
| 13 | Mary M. Kunz | 44% | 527 | |
| 14 | Stewart Alford | 43% | 260 | |
| 15 | Roger W. Thomas | 33% | 815 | |
| 16 | Thomas J. Sanzi | 26% | 2,906 |
How long you'll wait
At Minneapolis, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8 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 the wait time at this office trending upward to 8.5 months, you have a runway to organize your medical records. During your hearing, an ALJ will review your file and a vocational expert will testify about potential work. You should bring updated medical records, a list of medication side effects, and a log of your daily limitations. Because the panel shows a wide variation in approval rates, your documentation must be precise and objective to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your functional limits.
When a panel's approval rates span such a wide range, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Minneapolis panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical records directly address the criteria the judge will use to decide your case.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Minneapolis, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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 this office is 8.5 months. This has been trending upward recently, so it is important to keep your medical evidence updated throughout the process. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 16 judges on the panel. Because approval rates vary significantly across these judges, your focus should be on building a strong, evidence-based case that is ready for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of this panel.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, you should discuss them with an attorney who can advise you on the proper procedures for requesting a reassignment.
While not required, having an attorney can be a significant advantage. Given the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office, an attorney can help ensure your evidence is presented in a way that maximizes your chances of a favorable decision.