Who decides cases at this office
The 7 judges at the Portland office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 44% to 76% with a median of 72%. This means that while the office as a whole is favorable, your individual outcome can vary depending on which judge is assigned to your case. Judges are assigned randomly, and each weighs evidence differently, so it is vital to prepare for the specific requirements of your file rather than relying on a specific judge's tendencies.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. Pines | 66% | 25,743 | |
| 2 | Linda Thomasson | 66% | 28,709 | |
| 3 | Paula M. Martin | 65% | 28,061 | |
| 4 | Derek Johnson | 62% | 21,062 | |
| 5 | Steve Lynch | 58% | 20,960 | |
| 6 | Jo Hoenninger | 51% | 24,434 | |
| 7 | Richard Geib | 49% | 26,472 | |
| 8 | Paul G. Robeck | 43% | 5,902 | |
| 9 | Vadim Mozyrsky | 42% | 23,790 | |
| 10 | Rudolph Murgo | 39% | 16,980 | |
| 11 | John Michaelsen | 36% | 19,366 | |
| 12 | Cynthia D. Rosa | 33% | 16,146 |
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 Portland, 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.
Your odds change dramatically 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 clear runway to ensure your medical records are complete and up to date since your initial denial. Your hearing will likely involve an ALJ and a Vocational Expert who will testify regarding your ability to perform specific jobs. You should bring an updated list of all medications, including their side effects, and a daily-activity log that documents your physical or mental limitations. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline. Because the judges here have a moderate allowance-rate spread, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits. You will receive the final decision by mail after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span over 30 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Even in a favorable office like Portland, the cases that fail often do so because you did not anticipate the questions a vocational expert would raise about your work history. Preparing your evidence and identifying gaps before you walk into the hearing room is essential for a successful outcome.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Portland, 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.