Who decides cases at this office
The 17 ALJs at this office show a wide spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 20% to 73% and a median of 59%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to succeed regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theresa Merrill | 73% | 2,964 | |
| 2 | Meryl L. Lissek | 69% | 2,268 | |
| 3 | Donna A. Krappa | 68% | 2,626 | |
| 4 | Richard West | 65% | 3,557 | |
| 5 | John Campbell | 63% | 2,533 | |
| 6 | Douglass Alvarado | 61% | 1,763 | |
| 7 | Dennis O'Leary | 60% | 1,837 | |
| 8 | Leonard Olarsch | 60% | 1,001 | |
| 9 | Karen Shelton | 59% | 3,498 | |
| 10 | Leah Farrell | 57% | 260 | |
| 11 | Ricardy Damille | 56% | 3,504 | |
| 12 | Sharon Allard | 55% | 2,992 | |
| 13 | Beth Shillin | 54% | 2,308 | |
| 14 | Leonard F. Costa | 53% | 3,299 | |
| 15 | Kenneth Ayers | 41% | 3,306 | |
| 16 | John Giannopoulos | 27% | 79 | |
| 17 | Peter R. Lee | 20% | 2,540 |
How long you'll wait
At Newark, 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 a 9-month wait, you have a significant runway to ensure your medical records are complete. Your hearing will involve an ALJ and likely a vocational expert who will testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. You should submit all updated medical records, a current medication list, and a daily-activity log well before the hearing date. Because the Newark panel has a wide spread in approval rates, your file must clearly document your functional limitations. The ALJ will weigh this evidence against the vocational expert's testimony to determine if you can work. You will receive the final decision by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 50 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Newark panel can help you identify the specific medical evidence needed to satisfy the requirements of the most stringent judges. Use your 9-month wait to build that record rather than just waiting for a date.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Newark, 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 for a hearing at the Newark office is 9 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, which provides additional time to ensure your medical records are fully updated. An attorney can help you manage this wait by ensuring your evidence is ready for your hearing date.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly at the Newark office. Because there are 17 judges with a wide range of approval rates, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this panel.
You generally cannot request a different judge once one is assigned. Because outcomes vary significantly across the panel, it is critical to have a well-documented case that addresses your limitations clearly for any judge. An attorney can help you build a case that is robust enough for any judge on the panel.
While there is no formal dress code, dressing in neat, professional attire shows respect for the court and the ALJ. Focus your energy on organizing your medical evidence and daily-activity logs, as these are the primary factors the judge will use to make a decision. An attorney can help you organize these documents effectively.
While not required, having an attorney is highly recommended given the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office. An attorney can help you navigate the vocational expert's testimony and ensure your medical record is complete.