Who decides cases at this office
The panel of 10 judges at this office shows a moderate spread in approval rates, with a median of 55% and a range between 41% and 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence according to their own judicial philosophy. This variation means your file must be strong enough to succeed regardless of which judge presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert M. Butler | 79% | 1,718 | |
| 2 | Michael Hazel | 67% | 523 | |
| 3 | James B. Griffith | 62% | 191 | |
| 4 | Gregory White | 58% | 2,733 | |
| 5 | Roosevelt Currie | 55% | 466 | |
| 6 | Jerry Faust | 50% | 1,647 | |
| 7 | Gwen Anderson | 48% | 453 | |
| 8 | A. Benton | 46% | 3,672 | |
| 9 | James Satterwhite | 44% | 410 | |
| 10 | Debra Bice | 41% | 814 |
Denied before you got here? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At St. Louis, 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
You have 9 months until your hearing, which provides a runway to strengthen your file. Gather all medical records generated since your initial denial, as these are the most important documents for your ALJ. Create a detailed log of your daily activities and medication side effects to present to the judge. During your hearing, a vocational expert will likely testify about whether jobs exist that fit your limitations. You will have the opportunity to question this expert, which is often a deciding factor in your case. A final decision will arrive by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 40 points, your file must be documented so thoroughly that no judge can dismiss it on weak evidence. An attorney who understands the St. Louis panel can identify the specific limitations your judge will focus on and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony.
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. 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 time for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This duration has remained steady over recent months, giving you a predictable window to prepare your medical evidence. An attorney can help you use this time effectively.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly at this office. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates among the 10 judges, it is wise to prepare your case to meet the highest standards of evidence regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of the panel.
You generally cannot request a specific judge. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you evaluate your options and ensure your file is as strong as possible.
While not required, having an attorney is highly recommended. You are more likely to be allowed benefits when an attorney cross-examines the vocational expert and highlights the specific medical evidence that supports your claim. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.