Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with a median of 61% and a range between 45% and 85%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trace Baldwin | 85% | 1,812 | |
| 2 | Michael L. Harris | 80% | 4,095 | |
| 3 | Jodi B. Levine | 70% | 3,463 | |
| 4 | Steven L. Cravens | 69% | 3,396 | |
| 5 | Sylke Merchan | 69% | 2,937 | |
| 6 | Douglas S. Stults | 69% | 4,172 | |
| 7 | Susan W. Conyers | 65% | 2,057 | |
| 8 | Kim D. Parrish | 63% | 4,749 | |
| 9 | Kenton W. Fulton | 61% | 3,076 | |
| 10 | Christopher Hunt | 60% | 3,939 | |
| 11 | Angelita Hamilton | 59% | 3,563 | |
| 12 | Sherry L. Schallner | 57% | 3,154 | |
| 13 | Jennie L. McLean | 55% | 1,775 | |
| 14 | James Linehan | 55% | 3,209 | |
| 15 | J. Dell Gordon | 53% | 1,494 | |
| 16 | Larry D. Shepherd | 46% | 4,057 | |
| 17 | Edward L. Thompson | 45% | 3,222 |
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, and their most recent office on record has no hearing-office page on this site. 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 8.2 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 will likely last about 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your claim and hear testimony. You should bring an updated list of all medications, including side effects, and a log of your daily activities to demonstrate your limitations. A Vocational Expert is often present to testify about job availability, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Ensure all new medical records are submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. Because the approval rate here is high, a well-documented file is your strongest asset for a favorable decision.
With an 8-month wait, you have a window of time to ensure your medical record is complete and persuasive. At an office where the approval rate is 71%, the difference between a denial and an approval often comes down to how clearly your limitations are documented for the ALJ. You can identify gaps in your evidence and prepare for the vocational questions that frequently decide these cases to strengthen your position.
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. 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 8.2-month national average. This trend has been trending downward over the last year, providing a shorter window for final preparation. An attorney can help you manage your timeline while you wait for your hearing date.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the panel, it is important to focus on the quality of your evidence rather than the specific judge assigned. An attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the requirements of any judge assigned to you.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the panel and ensure your case is prepared to meet the requirements of any judge assigned to you.
While you are not required to have an attorney, represented claimants are statistically more likely to receive a favorable decision. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
