Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary, as the approval rates among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one span from 34% to 83%. This wide spread means that the judge you draw can impact your case as much as the office average. Because judges weigh evidence differently, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of the specific ALJ assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John L. Shailer | 83% | 372 | |
| 2 | Irma J. Flottman | 68% | 3,484 | |
| 3 | Kimberly S. Cromer | 64% | 4,369 | |
| 4 | Matthew Winfrey | 63% | 3,114 | |
| 5 | Edmund E. Giorgione | 55% | 194 | |
| 6 | K. Michael Foley | 54% | 85 | |
| 7 | Jason P. Tepley | 51% | 1,313 | |
| 8 | John R. Montgomery | 51% | 81 | |
| 9 | Jeffrey Hartranft | 50% | 3,670 | |
| 10 | Jeannine Lesperance | 49% | 3,271 | |
| 11 | Thomas L. Wang | 49% | 2,728 | |
| 12 | Paul E. Yerian | 46% | 1,051 | |
| 13 | Jason C. Earnhart | 45% | 1,241 | |
| 14 | Timothy G. Keller | 44% | 1,889 | |
| 15 | Timothy Gates | 42% | 1,233 | |
| 16 | Deborah F. Sanders | 41% | 2,117 | |
| 17 | Rita S. Eppler | 34% | 148 |
How long you'll wait
At Columbus, 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 at the Columbus office will likely last about an hour, centering on testimony from you and a vocational expert. Because the wait time is currently 8 months, use this period to gather updated medical records, a detailed log of your daily limitations, and statements from those who witness your struggles. The Social Security Administration restricts last-minute evidence, so ensure your file is complete well before your date. You will sit before an ALJ who will weigh your medical history against the vocational expert's assessment of available jobs. A decision typically arrives by mail weeks after your appearance.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Columbus panel can pressure-test your file against the specific vocational questions you will face under oath.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Columbus, 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, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
Judges are assigned randomly to cases, and because there are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, you will not know your specific judge until closer to your hearing date. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case to any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you identify if there are specific procedural issues or conflicts that should be addressed before your hearing.
While not required, having an attorney who understands the wide variation in approval rates among this office's judges can help you build a more persuasive case.
