Who decides cases at this office
The 17 ALJs at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 45% to 85% with a median of 61%. This variation means that while the office as a whole is favorable, the specific judge assigned to your case will weigh evidence differently. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, making it essential to build a file that is robust enough to meet the standards of any member of the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trace Baldwin | 85% | 2,142 | |
| 2 | Michael L. Harris | 80% | 4,905 | |
| 3 | Jodi B. Levine | 70% | 4,110 | |
| 4 | Steven L. Cravens | 69% | 4,064 | |
| 5 | Sylke Merchan | 69% | 3,698 | |
| 6 | Douglas S. Stults | 69% | 5,428 | |
| 7 | Susan W. Conyers | 65% | 2,475 | |
| 8 | Kim D. Parrish | 63% | 5,590 | |
| 9 | Kenton W. Fulton | 61% | 3,649 | |
| 10 | Christopher Hunt | 60% | 4,663 | |
| 11 | Angelita Hamilton | 59% | 4,321 | |
| 12 | Sherry L. Schallner | 57% | 3,844 | |
| 13 | James Linehan | 55% | 3,845 | |
| 14 | Jennie L. McLean | 55% | 2,242 | |
| 15 | J. Dell Gordon | 53% | 1,823 | |
| 16 | Larry D. Shepherd | 46% | 4,993 | |
| 17 | Edward L. Thompson | 45% | 4,099 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Oklahoma City, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 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 an 8-month wait, you have a valuable runway to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your primary task is to update your medical records to include any treatments or diagnostic tests performed since your initial denial. You should also prepare a daily-activity log that clearly illustrates how your symptoms limit your ability to perform basic work tasks. During the hearing, which typically lasts about an hour, an ALJ will preside while a vocational expert often testifies regarding jobs that might fit your physical or mental limitations. You have the right to question this expert, which is often the most critical moment of the proceeding. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted.
With a 71% allowance rate, Oklahoma City is a venue where well-documented claims often succeed, yet the 40-point spread between the highest and lowest-approving judges creates a layer of uncertainty. An attorney who understands the tendencies of this specific panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical evidence is framed to address the specific concerns of an ALJ.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Oklahoma City, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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 current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months. This is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months and has been trending downward recently. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline while you wait.
Cases are assigned to one of the 17 ALJs at this office through a random selection process. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you have a legitimate concern regarding a conflict of interest, you must follow formal SSA procedures to request a reassignment, and an attorney can help you navigate that process.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is a complex legal proceeding involving vocational experts and medical evidence. Representation is often the difference between a successful appeal and a continued denial, and an attorney can help you present your strongest case.