Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 40% to 81%. This wide variation means that which judge you draw can impact your case as much as the office-wide average. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, making it essential that your file is prepared to meet the highest standard of evidence.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul F. Kelly | 81% | 3,539 | |
| 2 | John G. Farrell | 73% | 3,156 | |
| 3 | Robert Wright | 71% | 1,785 | |
| 4 | Michelle S. Marcus | 69% | 1,903 | |
| 5 | Mary Sparks | 69% | 1,863 | |
| 6 | Dale Black-Pennington | 64% | 3,628 | |
| 7 | Arthur Patane | 59% | 2,966 | |
| 8 | David F. Neumann | 58% | 2,687 | |
| 9 | Carl E. Stephan | 58% | 1,851 | |
| 10 | Andrew J. Soltes Jr. | 55% | 2,813 | |
| 11 | Jude B. Mulvey | 50% | 1,408 | |
| 12 | Brian LeCours | 50% | 3,853 | |
| 13 | Gretchen M. Greisler | 46% | 3,263 | |
| 14 | Asad M. Ba-Yunus | 41% | 3,140 | |
| 15 | John Loughlin | 40% | 3,245 |
How long you'll wait
At Albany, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8.5 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 about 45 to 60 minutes, during which an Administrative Law Judge will review your file and hear testimony. You should arrive with an updated list of all medications, including their side effects, and a daily-activity log that clearly illustrates your physical or mental limitations. A Vocational Expert is often present to testify about whether jobs exist that fit your specific restrictions, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Because the Social Security Administration restricts last-minute evidence, you must submit all updated medical records well before your hearing date. If you are currently waiting for your date, use this time to ensure your file is complete, as hearings at this office move forward once the evidence is locked in.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it based on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the tendencies of the Albany panel can help you anticipate the questions a judge might ask and prepare your testimony accordingly. Claimants who are represented at the hearing stage are often better positioned to navigate the complexities of the vocational testimony that frequently decides these cases.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Albany, 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 8.5 months. This is slightly longer than the national average of 8.2 months, providing you with a necessary window to ensure your medical records are fully updated. An attorney can help you manage this timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You will not know who is presiding until your hearing notice arrives. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, but if you believe a specific judge has a conflict of interest, you may discuss potential recusal options with an attorney. Focus your energy on strengthening your file, which is the most effective way to address judge-to-judge variation.
While not required, an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony. Given the wide spread in approval rates among the Albany panel, professional representation can help ensure your case is presented as clearly as possible.
