Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes swing significantly across this office's panel, as approval rates for the 20 judges with records here range from a low of 30% to a high of 78%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This wide spread means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Wallis | 78% | 3,777 | |
| 2 | Mark A. Brown | 74% | 194 | |
| 3 | Bradley Hanan | 70% | 4,164 | |
| 4 | Alaina Davis | 67% | 934 | |
| 5 | Robert S. Robison | 57% | 323 | |
| 6 | Stephen M. Hanekamp | 56% | 3,345 | |
| 7 | Nathaniel Plucker | 54% | 2,556 | |
| 8 | John R. Price | 54% | 4,660 | |
| 9 | Gerald Meyr | 53% | 3,013 | |
| 10 | Joseph L. Heimann | 52% | 1,488 | |
| 11 | Steve Hanekamp | 52% | 290 | |
| 12 | Chandreka Allen | 49% | 2,493 | |
| 13 | Lori Imsland | 48% | 3,653 | |
| 14 | Richard Hopkins | 47% | 2,736 | |
| 15 | Henry DeWoskin | 47% | 3,184 | |
| 16 | Charles Woode | 39% | 2,960 | |
| 17 | Lisa Leslie | 36% | 3,377 | |
| 18 | Robert V. Luetkenhaus | 35% | 3,106 | |
| 19 | Koren Mueller | 34% | 2,572 | |
| 20 | Katherine Jecklin | 30% | 2,157 |
How long you'll wait
At St. Louis, 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 at the Robert A. Young Federal Building will likely last about an hour, during which an Administrative Law Judge will review your claim. Because the wait time in St. Louis has been trending upward, reaching 8 months, use this time to gather updated medical records, a detailed log of your daily limitations, and statements from those who witness your struggles. The Vocational Expert will often testify about whether jobs exist for someone with your specific restrictions, and you or your attorney will have the chance to question them. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision typically arrives by mail weeks after the proceeding.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While the 8-month wait at this office is typical, it is also a period of preparation that you can use to build your case. You can work with an attorney who understands the St. Louis panel to anticipate the vocational expert's questions and pressure-test your evidence before you walk into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at St. Louis, 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, which is slightly lower than the national average of 8.2 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, so it is important to stay prepared. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is St. Louis. Because approval rates vary widely across this panel, your attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the judge assigned to your file.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if there is a conflict of interest, you may be able to request a change. Discuss any concerns about your assigned judge with your representative, as an attorney can help you navigate these procedural requests.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to be approved, especially when navigating a panel with such a wide spread in approval rates. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence.
