FORT SMITH Hearing Office
- ARKANSAS
- 20 Administrative Law Judges
Office Approval Rate
52%
State average: 38% ▲ (Above State Avg.)
National average: 49% ▲ (Above National Avg.)
National average: 49% ▲ (Above National Avg.)
* Based on aggregated Social Security disability hearing decisions issued during Fiscal Year 2026.
Average Hearing Wait Time
8Months
State average: 7.8 Month ▲ (Above State Avg.)
National average: 8.1 Month ● (Near National Avg.)
National average: 8.1 Month ● (Near National Avg.)
List of Judges
Judges at this hearing office vary in approval rates and decision volume. Select a judge to view individual statistics.
(Judge-level statistics reflect the most recent fiscal year with available data.
Approval rates may vary over time and by case type.)
| Judge Name | Approval Rate | Compared to Office Average | Decision Count | Data Recency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary L Vanderhoof | 76% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 55 | 2012 |
| Edward M Starr | 38% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 5,921 | 2020 |
| Penny M Smith | 61% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 206 | 2010 |
| Clifford Shilling | 43% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 3,180 | 2020 |
| Larry D. Shepherd | 39% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 923 | 2012 |
| Glenn A Neel | 52% | Near (office avg. 52%) | 5,313 | 2025 |
| Alexis Murdock | 56% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 1,029 | 2018 |
| Michael McShane | 63% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 79 | 2012 |
| Elisabeth McGee | 45% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 891 | 2025 |
| Monica LaPolt | 52% | Near (office avg. 52%) | 640 | 2012 |
| Bill Jones | 48% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 4,678 | 2025 |
| David T Hubbard | 87% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 527 | 2010 |
| Michael S Hertzig | 51% | Near (office avg. 52%) | 55 | 2013 |
| William S Herbert | 80% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 174 | 2011 |
| J. Frederick Gatzke | 0% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 1 | 2013 |
| David W Engel | 73% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 59 | 2011 |
| Harold D Davis | 47% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 3,992 | 2025 |
| Ronald L Burton | 60% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 3,513 | 2017 |
| Charles L Brower | 43% | Below (office avg. 52%) | 7 | 2013 |
| Jon D Boltz | 78% | Above (office avg. 52%) | 501 | 2013 |
Advanced office metrics
These statistics provide additional context about how cases are processed at this hearing office.
They reflect system-level activity, not individual judge decision behavior, and may vary based on administrative and procedural factors.
291 Days
Average Case Processing Time
12%
Dismissal Rate
36%
Denied Rate
1.8
Dispositions per Day per ALJ
Statistics are aggregated from publicly available Social Security Administration hearing data.