Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The panel at this office shows a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual judge outcomes ranging from 50% to 81%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs medical evidence differently. This variation makes it essential to ensure your file is comprehensive enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John R. Martin | 81% | 2,414 | |
| 2 | Ashley L. Bumgarner | 76% | 1,251 | |
| 3 | Arthur L. Conover | 67% | 2,650 | |
| 4 | Frederick W. Christian | 67% | 1,959 | |
| 5 | Jonathan T. Shoenholz | 66% | 3,054 | |
| 6 | Ronald Fleming | 61% | 2,826 | |
| 7 | Christopher R. Daniels | 60% | 4,477 | |
| 8 | Brian Garves | 60% | 3,108 | |
| 9 | Walter C. Herin Jr. | 57% | 3,488 | |
| 10 | Flora L. Vinson | 54% | 2,835 | |
| 11 | Paul Elkin | 51% | 3,485 | |
| 12 | Joshua L. Vineyard | 50% | 2,993 |
How long you'll wait
At Columbia, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8.5 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, with an Administrative Law Judge presiding over your case. You should bring your identification and any updated medical records that were not included in your initial application. A vocational expert often testifies to explain what jobs might exist for someone with your specific physical or mental limitations. You can question this expert to clarify how your symptoms prevent you from working. Because evidence submission deadlines are strict, you must organize your medication lists, daily activity logs, and witness statements well before your date. A decision will typically arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
With a panel where approval rates vary by 31 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it based on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the local panel can pressure-test your evidence against the specific standards these judges apply. Use your remaining wait time to ensure your medical history is fully developed.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Columbia, 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 current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8.5 months, which is slightly higher than the national average of 8.2 months. Wait times have been trending upward recently, so it is important to stay prepared. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline effectively.
Cases are assigned randomly to judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates among the panel, an attorney can help you understand how to address the different evidentiary requirements of the judges.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about a specific assignment, discuss them with an attorney who can evaluate if there are valid legal grounds to address the situation.
While you are not required to have an attorney, representation is highly recommended. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony, which is often the deciding factor in a hearing.
