Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for individual judges ranging from 18% to 70%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each ALJ weighs evidence differently. This wide variation makes it essential that your file is documented thoroughly enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexis Murdock | 70% | 2,720 | |
| 2 | Peter F. Gazda | 68% | 4,009 | |
| 3 | Dwight D. Wilkerson | 60% | 3,311 | |
| 4 | Lissette C. Perez | 56% | 2,305 | |
| 5 | Don A. Harper | 53% | 2,078 | |
| 6 | Ilene B. Kramer | 53% | 3,600 | |
| 7 | Melinda W. Kirkpatrick | 51% | 4,514 | |
| 8 | David R. Wurm | 50% | 4,547 | |
| 9 | Matthew Allen | 49% | 4,991 | |
| 10 | Bernard J. McKay | 47% | 4,139 | |
| 11 | Robert M. McPhail | 45% | 3,722 | |
| 12 | Charles L. Brower | 43% | 4,137 | |
| 13 | Janice L. Holmes | 42% | 3,763 | |
| 14 | Penny Wilkov | 41% | 3,449 | |
| 15 | Katherine W. Brown | 41% | 3,923 | |
| 16 | Ben Barnett | 40% | 3,661 | |
| 17 | Barbara C. Marquardt | 33% | 258 | |
| 18 | Marc Jones | 33% | 2,203 | |
| 19 | Mark M. Swayze | 27% | 3,781 | |
| 20 | Barbara Powell | 24% | 1,508 | |
| 21 | Gordan Momcilovic | 20% | 3,913 | |
| 22 | Susan Whittington | 20% | 1,672 | |
| 23 | Jonathan P. Blucher | 18% | 1,466 |
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 San Antonio, 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 typically last 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your file and hear testimony. Because the approval rates at this office vary significantly depending on which judge is assigned to your case, your preparation must be exhaustive. Focus on updating your medical records to include all treatment since your initial denial, as this is the most common missing link in successful appeals. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and side effects from your medications. A vocational expert will often testify about the types of jobs available for someone with your specific limitations. You will have the opportunity to question this expert, which is often the turning point in a hearing. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted.
When a panel's approval rates span over 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. An attorney who understands the local panel can help you anticipate the specific questions a judge might ask and ensure your vocational evidence is airtight. This preparation helps ensure your case is ready for the hearing.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at San Antonio, 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 slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months, the trend has been rising recently, so it is important to stay prepared. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly, so you will not know which judge will hear your case until your notice of hearing arrives. Because approval rates vary widely across this office's panel, you should prepare your evidence to be as clear as possible for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of the local panel.
Generally, you cannot request a different judge. However, if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, you can file a formal objection. An attorney can help you determine if such a request is appropriate for your situation.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the vocational expert testimony that often determines the outcome of your hearing.
