Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes swing significantly across the panel at this office, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 18% to 59%. Because of this wide variation, which judge you draw matters as much as the office average. Cases are assigned randomly, and each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony J. Johnson | 59% | 276 | |
| 2 | William H. Hauser | 58% | 1,970 | |
| 3 | Eric Eklund | 57% | 3,992 | |
| 4 | Anthony J. Johnson Jr. | 50% | 3,203 | |
| 5 | Theodore P. Kennedy | 50% | 2,423 | |
| 6 | Nicolas R. Foster | 49% | 4,189 | |
| 7 | Maria Nunez | 48% | 1,096 | |
| 8 | Mark Baker | 47% | 2,787 | |
| 9 | Deborah Foresman | 42% | 1,859 | |
| 10 | Linda S. Crovella | 39% | 1,712 | |
| 11 | L. R. BaileySmith | 38% | 2,711 | |
| 12 | Patricia E. Hurt | 34% | 167 | |
| 13 | Suzette Knight | 18% | 3,119 |
How long you'll wait
At Richmond, 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 a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review your claim. Because the approval rate at this office is 45%, your preparation must focus on bridging the gaps in your medical record that led to your initial denial. You should bring an updated list of all medications, including side effects, and a detailed log of your daily activities. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, during which a Vocational Expert will likely testify about jobs that might fit your physical or mental limitations. You have the right to question this expert, as their testimony is often the deciding factor in your case. Ensure all new evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute filings are restricted.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Richmond panel can pressure-test your file against the specific standards of the judges who might hear your case. Building a persuasive record before your hearing date is the most effective way to navigate these variations.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Richmond, 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 the Richmond office is 8 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, which provides you with more time to gather additional medical evidence to support your claim. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready during this period.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because there is a wide spread in approval rates among these judges, it is vital to have a representative who is familiar with the panel's tendencies. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards of this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, but if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, an attorney can help you file a formal objection. Focus your energy on strengthening your evidence, which is the most effective way to improve your chances with any judge.
While not required, having an attorney is a significant advantage. Represented claimants are statistically much more likely to be approved, especially at offices with lower approval rates like Richmond, where navigating the vocational expert's testimony is critical. An attorney can help you manage these complexities.
