I had a Social Security disability hearing yesterday in Portland, Maine with an administrative law judge visiting from the Boston office. I was reminded that the judge who decides your Social Security disability claim really does matter.
As I have said before, it probably shouldn't matter which judge hears your disability case, since they all interpret the same rules and would be looking at the same facts. But it really does matter. Each judge approaches a Social Security disability claim from a different perspective, and it is very helpful to know how a particular judge tends to look at a case. Also, each judge conducts the hearing in a unique way, so I tailor my hearing preparation to the specific ALJ hearing the case. That includes preparing the client for the way the judge conducts a hearing.
Yesterday, I knew in advance the approach that the visiting judge takes in a hearing, and it really helped my client's case. You do not get to pick the judge that decides your disability claim, but you do get to pick the lawyer who handles your case. It is important to obtain the assistance of a Social Security disability lawyer who has experience with the judges in your area, since one of them will decide your claim.
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