Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The Greensboro panel exhibits a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes clustering around a 70% median but ranging from 50% to 89%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs medical evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E. Norman Graham | 89% | 1,216 | |
| 2 | Maria L. Spitz | 85% | 816 | |
| 3 | Daniel J. Stein | 75% | 1,351 | |
| 4 | Clint Dorman | 73% | 3,635 | |
| 5 | Helen O. Evans | 72% | 636 | |
| 6 | Benjamin R. McMillion | 70% | 3,774 | |
| 7 | Richard Jackson | 70% | 3,660 | |
| 8 | Frederick Johnson | 70% | 1,972 | |
| 9 | Marc Seidman | 70% | 1,091 | |
| 10 | Nancy L. Brock | 63% | 2,308 | |
| 11 | Barbara von Euler | 63% | 2,813 | |
| 12 | LaRonna Harris | 60% | 2,284 | |
| 13 | Michelle D. Cavadi | 59% | 3,902 | |
| 14 | Scott C. Firestone | 59% | 2,082 | |
| 15 | Joseph Booth | 52% | 348 | |
| 16 | Joseph Booth III | 50% | 3,303 |
How long you'll wait
At Greensboro, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 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 is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review the evidence that led to your initial denial. You have 8 months of wait time to ensure your medical records are complete, including any treatment updates since your last application. Focus on gathering a detailed medication list, side-effect logs, and statements from those who observe your daily limitations. During the hearing, a Vocational Expert will likely testify about your ability to perform work; you may question them on how your specific impairments prevent sustained employment. Submit all new evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail after the judge concludes the record.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. Even in an office with a 65% approval rate, the cases that fail often do so because they did not anticipate the Vocational Expert's testimony or failed to link medical findings to specific work limitations. Preparing your evidence thoroughly before you walk into the hearing room is the best way to ensure your claim is ready for review.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Greensboro, 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 months. While this is consistent with the national average of 8.2 months, wait times have been rising recently. An attorney can help you track your case status.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare by reviewing the specific tendencies of the panel.
Generally, you cannot request a specific judge. However, if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, an attorney can help you file a formal objection.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. Represented claimants are often more successful because attorneys know how to cross-examine vocational experts and organize medical evidence for an ALJ. An attorney can help you build your case.
