Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual outcomes ranging from 42% to 82% since 2016. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laura G. McHenry | 82% | 2,390 | |
| 2 | Michael R. Swan | 81% | 2,823 | |
| 3 | Eduardo Soto | 78% | 853 | |
| 4 | John E. Case | 75% | 4,556 | |
| 5 | James E. Deen Jr. | 70% | 222 | |
| 6 | Michael L. Brownfield | 69% | 2,052 | |
| 7 | Frederick McGrath | 66% | 2,218 | |
| 8 | Wesley R. Kliner | 62% | 3,555 | |
| 9 | Randi E. Lappin | 60% | 3,151 | |
| 10 | William O. Gray | 59% | 1,277 | |
| 11 | Lauren Logan Benedict | 58% | 4,052 | |
| 12 | Kristie Luffman-Minor | 56% | 3,250 | |
| 13 | Carey Jobe | 56% | 1,953 | |
| 14 | Jeannie S. Bartlett | 47% | 417 | |
| 15 | Ronald J. Feibus | 44% | 365 | |
| 16 | Suhirjahaan Morehead | 42% | 3,233 |
How long you'll wait
At Chattanooga, 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 is your opportunity to present evidence that was missed during your initial application. You should bring updated medical records, a comprehensive medication list with documented side effects, and a daily-activity log that details your functional limitations. The hearing typically involves an ALJ and a vocational expert who testifies regarding available work. Because the evidence-submission deadline is strict, you must ensure all documents are filed well before your date. If your medical condition has changed since your last denial, those updates are the most important items to include. A clear, evidence-backed narrative is essential to your success.
Even at an office like Chattanooga where the approval rate is high, the difference between a successful claim and a denial often comes down to how you handle the vocational expert's testimony. Identifying the specific limitations that disqualify you from work and ensuring your medical record supports those claims is a process that benefits from professional legal guidance. Use your remaining wait time to build a case that leaves no room for doubt.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Chattanooga, 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. While this is consistent with the national average, it is important to use this time to ensure your medical evidence is complete. An attorney can help you prepare your case during this wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, your best strategy is to focus on the quality of your medical documentation. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to this panel.
While you are not required to have an attorney, having one can help you navigate the hearing process. An attorney can help you prepare for the vocational expert's questions and ensure your file is ready for the ALJ.
You should dress in neat, professional attire that you would wear to a formal appointment. The focus of the hearing is on your medical evidence and functional limitations, but presenting yourself professionally shows respect for the process. An attorney can help you understand what to expect during your appearance.
