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 outcomes ranging from 40% to 66%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to withstand scrutiny regardless of which judge presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kellie Campbell | 66% | 969 | |
| 2 | Gerardo R. Pico | 62% | 2,682 | |
| 3 | Vicky Ruth | 52% | 3,873 | |
| 4 | Kellie Wingate Campbell | 50% | 2,852 | |
| 5 | Carol L. Boorady | 40% | 2,678 |
How long you'll wait
At Columbia, 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 will likely last 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your file and hear testimony. You must bring valid identification and any medical records generated since your last denial, as these are vital for proving your current limitations. A vocational expert often testifies to identify jobs that fit your physical or mental restrictions, and you or your attorney may cross-examine them. Because the SSA enforces strict evidence-submission deadlines, you should organize your medication lists, daily-activity logs, and witness statements well before your date. Decisions are rarely issued on the spot; you will typically receive a written notice by mail weeks after the proceeding concludes.
With a rising wait time of 8 months, the period between your appeal and your hearing is a preparation phase. Cases that fail at this stage often do so because the medical record did not adequately address the specific vocational questions an ALJ will ask. You can pressure-test your evidence against these standards before you walk into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Columbia, 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 8 months. This is currently in line with the national average of 8.2 months.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You will be notified of your specific judge's name once your hearing is scheduled.
You generally cannot choose your judge. However, if you believe there is a conflict of interest, you should discuss this with an attorney immediately to determine if a formal objection is appropriate. An attorney can help you navigate these procedural concerns.
While not required, having an attorney who understands the local panel's variation can be the difference between a successful appeal and a denial. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of the ALJ assigned to your case.
