Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 40% to 79%. Because of this variation, the judge assigned to your case can influence the outcome. Cases are assigned randomly, and each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides.
| 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 | Mattie Harvin-Woode | 53% | 1,774 | |
| 7 | Jerry Faust | 50% | 1,647 | |
| 8 | Gwen Anderson | 48% | 453 | |
| 9 | Kathryn Preston | 47% | 2,576 | |
| 10 | Amy Benton | 46% | 3,734 | |
| 11 | Trina Mengesha-Brown | 45% | 2,592 | |
| 12 | Brian M. Steger | 45% | 2,968 | |
| 13 | James Satterwhite | 44% | 410 | |
| 14 | Debra Bice | 41% | 814 | |
| 15 | Joseph R. Doyle | 40% | 3,700 |
How long you'll wait
At St. Louis National Hearing Center, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 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 St. Louis National Hearing Center will likely last about an hour, during which an ALJ will review your claim. Because this office holds hearings via video, you should ensure your technology is ready if you are appearing remotely. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists, and daily-activity logs well before the hearing date, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. During the session, a vocational expert will typically testify about jobs that might fit your limitations. You have the right to question this expert. A written decision will be mailed to you several weeks after the hearing concludes.
With a 45% approval rate and meaningful variation across the panel, the St. Louis National Hearing Center requires a file that leaves little room for interpretation. Identifying the specific vocational hurdles in your case and preparing to address them under oath is a standard part of the hearing process.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait time for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This is a steady trend, providing you with a consistent window to gather additional medical evidence. An attorney can help you manage this timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the panel, an attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the judge assigned to your specific case.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the 45% approval rate at this office suggests that hearings are competitive. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert testimony that often decides the outcome.
You should bring updated medical records, a current list of medications with side effects, and any daily-activity logs that document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure these are submitted to the office in advance of your hearing.
