Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 27% to 56% for those with at least 30 decisions on record since 2016. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot predict which ALJ will hear your appeal. Each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be prepared to meet the requirements of the most stringent reviewer on the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julie Sammer | 56% | 1,281 | |
| 2 | Patrick J. Toal | 55% | 441 | |
| 3 | Patrick Berigan | 55% | 2,062 | |
| 4 | Nicholas J. Schwalbach | 53% | 1,464 | |
| 5 | William Shenkenberg | 52% | 3,709 | |
| 6 | Brent C. Bedwell | 48% | 4,071 | |
| 7 | Arman Rouf | 48% | 3,648 | |
| 8 | Margaret J. O'Grady | 44% | 3,574 | |
| 9 | Dean Syrjanen | 43% | 2,382 | |
| 10 | Timothy J. Malloy | 39% | 1,914 | |
| 11 | Robert L. Bartelt Jr. | 34% | 104 | |
| 12 | Jeffry Gauthier | 28% | 1,140 | |
| 13 | Wayne L. Ritter | 27% | 1,966 |
How long you'll wait
At Milwaukee, 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 evaluate your claim. Because the Milwaukee office maintains a moderate spread in judge approval rates, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge is assigned. Start by updating your medical records to include all treatment since your initial denial, as this is the most effective way to demonstrate ongoing disability. You should also prepare a daily-activity log and a list of medication side effects to provide concrete evidence of your functional limits. A vocational expert will likely testify about available jobs, and you will have the opportunity to question their conclusions. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 30 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While many claimants wait the full 8 months for their date, you can use that time to pressure-test your medical record against the vocational standards an ALJ will apply. A well-documented case is your best defense against the variability of the hearing process.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Milwaukee, 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, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. This timeline gives you a predictable window to ensure your medical records are complete. An attorney can help you manage this timeline effectively.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the panel, it is essential to build a strong case that addresses your specific functional limitations regardless of the assigned judge. An attorney can help you prepare for this uncertainty.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA to ensure impartiality. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you evaluate the evidence to ensure your file is as persuasive as possible.
While you are not required to have an attorney, represented claimants are statistically more likely to be allowed benefits. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony.
