Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes swing significantly across the panel at this office, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions on record since 2016 ranging from 28% to 89%. Because of this wide spread, the judge you draw matters, and your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides. Assignment is random and each judge weighs evidence differently, so thorough preparation is your best defense against this variability.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley A. Moskal Jr. | 89% | 303 | |
| 2 | Grenville W. Harrop Jr. | 77% | 266 | |
| 3 | Eric L. Glazer | 67% | 630 | |
| 4 | Anna Wright | 57% | 614 | |
| 5 | Timothy M. McGuan | 55% | 1,580 | |
| 6 | Stephan Bell | 55% | 3,424 | |
| 7 | Maria Herrero-Jaarsma | 53% | 518 | |
| 8 | Paul Georger | 52% | 3,129 | |
| 9 | Bruce R. Mazzarella | 52% | 62 | |
| 10 | Marilyn D. Zahm | 51% | 129 | |
| 11 | Bryce Baird | 51% | 2,715 | |
| 12 | Mary Mattimore | 51% | 1,413 | |
| 13 | Melissa L. Jones | 48% | 903 | |
| 14 | Stephen Cordovani | 47% | 3,559 | |
| 15 | William M. Weir | 45% | 3,229 | |
| 16 | Sharon Seeley | 43% | 615 | |
| 17 | Lynette Gohr | 34% | 882 | |
| 18 | Robert T. Harvey | 28% | 247 |
How long you'll wait
At Buffalo, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
Hearings at this office move faster than the national average, so prioritize gathering your updated medical records and a detailed log of your daily limitations. You will likely spend 45 to 60 minutes before an ALJ, where a vocational expert will testify regarding jobs that might fit your profile. You have the right to question this expert, which is often the most critical part of the proceeding. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will typically arrive by mail several weeks after your hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 60 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it based on weak documentation. While the 7-month wait is shorter than the national average, it provides a crucial window to anticipate the vocational expert's questions and address gaps in your medical history. Preparing your file early allows you to focus on the specific limitations that support your claim.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Buffalo, 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 7 months, which is trending downward and is faster than the 8.2-month national average. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly, and you will not know your specific judge until closer to your hearing date. Because approval rates vary widely across the panel, you should prepare your case to be as strong as possible regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to any judge.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a potential conflict of interest, you should discuss them with an attorney who can advise you on the proper procedures for raising those issues with the SSA.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.
