Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary across the panel, with individual judge approval rates ranging from 17% to 70%. Because of this wide spread, the specific judge assigned to your case can influence the outcome. Cases are assigned randomly, and each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louis Aliberti | 70% | 3,819 | |
| 2 | Peter R. Bronson | 66% | 149 | |
| 3 | Traci M. Hixson | 64% | 4,173 | |
| 4 | Cheryl M. Rini | 64% | 159 | |
| 5 | Joseph Vallowe | 61% | 1,718 | |
| 6 | Amy Budney | 60% | 3,749 | |
| 7 | Joseph A. Rose | 59% | 4,083 | |
| 8 | Eric Westley | 55% | 3,982 | |
| 9 | Keith J. Kearney | 51% | 3,838 | |
| 10 | Genevieve Adamo | 48% | 3,579 | |
| 11 | Frederick Andreas | 48% | 3,387 | |
| 12 | Pamela E. Loesel | 48% | 2,314 | |
| 13 | William Leland | 45% | 4,100 | |
| 14 | Peter Beekman | 38% | 2,838 | |
| 15 | Martin McClelland | 37% | 509 | |
| 16 | Penny Loucas | 35% | 3,126 | |
| 17 | Joseph G. Hajjar | 30% | 3,423 | |
| 18 | Jonathan Eliot | 30% | 213 | |
| 19 | George D. Roscoe | 29% | 2,047 | |
| 20 | Scott R. Canfield | 27% | 1,056 | |
| 21 | Susan G. Giuffre | 21% | 1,451 | |
| 22 | Catherine Ma | 17% | 2,863 |
How long you'll wait
At Cleveland, 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
With a 7-month wait, you have a limited window to ensure your medical records are complete and up to date. You must submit all new evidence well before your hearing date to ensure the ALJ can review it. During your hearing, you will likely face questions from the judge and a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past or alternative work. Bring a detailed log of your daily activities and a list of your current medications, including any side effects that impact your ability to function. These details help the judge understand your specific limitations.
When a panel's approval rates span over 50 points, your file must be robust enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. Understanding the tendencies of this panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's testimony and address potential gaps in your medical record. A well-prepared file remains the most effective way to navigate the hearing process.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Cleveland, 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 faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary widely across the panel, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the requirements of any judge.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if there is a conflict of interest, you or your attorney can raise the issue with the hearing office.
While not required, having an attorney is recommended. Represented claimants often have files that are better prepared for the specific questions asked by the ALJ and vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
