Who decides cases at this office
The panel of 18 ALJs at this office shows a wide spread in outcomes, with individual allowance rates ranging from 30% to 78%. This variation means that which judge is assigned to your case can influence the process, as each judge weighs evidence and vocational testimony differently. Because assignments are random, your best strategy is to build a case that is robust enough to meet the standards of any judge on the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gene Duncan | 78% | 496 | |
| 2 | Margaret M. Sullivan | 74% | 4,517 | |
| 3 | Gary Elliott | 66% | 425 | |
| 4 | Paul Gaughen | 65% | 1,479 | |
| 5 | Joanne E. Dantonio | 59% | 1,800 | |
| 6 | Marilyn S. Mauer | 58% | 1,876 | |
| 7 | James W. Sherry | 56% | 512 | |
| 8 | Melissa Warner | 56% | 2,346 | |
| 9 | S. Andrew Grace | 51% | 1,343 | |
| 10 | David Johnson | 49% | 4,890 | |
| 11 | Robert P. Kingsley | 48% | 179 | |
| 12 | Kelly Wilson | 47% | 592 | |
| 13 | Lawrence Lee | 46% | 2,498 | |
| 14 | Mark Triplett | 43% | 4,427 | |
| 15 | Joyce Frost-Wolf | 41% | 4,352 | |
| 16 | Gerald J. Hill | 36% | 944 | |
| 17 | Michael Gilbert | 34% | 331 | |
| 18 | Rebecca L. Jones | 30% | 1,879 |
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 Tacoma, 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.
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
With an 8-month wait time, you have a window to ensure your medical records are complete. Gather all treatment notes, medication lists, and statements from doctors regarding your functional limitations since your last denial. Your hearing will typically last about an hour, where an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert may testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. Because the evidence-submission deadline is strict, ensure your file is complete well before your date. An ALJ will weigh your testimony against the medical record, so consistency in your daily-activity log is essential. You will receive a written decision by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. While you wait for your hearing date, you can identify gaps in your medical record that might otherwise lead to a denial. You can also prepare for the specific types of questions a vocational expert will ask about your work history.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tacoma, 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.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months, which is slightly lower than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you understand how to manage your case during this waiting period.
ALJs are assigned to cases randomly at this office. Because the panel of 18 judges has a wide range of allowance rates, it is impossible to know which judge you will draw until your hearing is scheduled. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific preferences of the judges at this office.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if you have a valid legal reason to believe a judge is biased, you may be able to file a formal request for reassignment with the help of an attorney.
While not required, having representation can help you navigate the wide variation in judge outcomes at this office. An attorney can help you build a more persuasive file.