Phoenix OHO

Honorable Judge Ted Armbruster began his career as an ALJ in Jackson, MS before moving to Arizona in 2012. Since joining the Phoenix North OHO, Judge Armbruster’s approval percentage is 43% and since 2018 it was 46.5%. In our experience, Judge Armbruster is a very fair and kind judge.  

APPROVALS: 46.5% from 2018-2019

Honorable Judge Paula Atchison has worked her full career as an ALJ at the Phoenix and North Phoenix ODAR. Since 2017, she has approved 26% and denied 50% of claims held before her. Unfortunately, her approval rating has gone down in 2019 to just 24%, making her a very tough judge to go before.

APPROVALS: 26% from 2017-2019 

Honorable Judge Guy Fletcher began his career out of the Portland hearing office before moving to Phoenix in 2016. Since that time, he has approved approximately 50% of his cases which is well above the national average of 42%. 

APPROVALS: 50% from 2016-2020  

 Honorable Judge John Gaffney started his career as an ALJ in Phoenix in 2015 and his approval rating over a 5-year span has been consistent. In 2019, ALJ Gaffney approved 42% of claims.  

APPROVALS: 45% from 2016-2020  

Honorable Judge Paul Isherwood started his young career as an ALJ in 2018 working at the San Bernardino, CA hearing office where he presently conducts VTC hearings for Phoenix ODAR. As of June 2019, he has approved 42% of his cases while denying 42%. 

APPROVALS: 45% from 2016-2020  

Honorable Judge Myriam C. Fernandez Rice started her career as an ALJ working in the Detroit hearing office before moving to Albuquerque in 2013 continuing to preside over hearings. In her young but respected illustrious, ALJ Fernandez Rice has approved 44% of her cases. She currently handles VTC hearings at PHX OADR. 

APPROVALS: 41% in 2020  

Honorable Judge  Sandra DiMaggio Wallis began her career as an ALJ working in Tupelo, MS and has handled cases across the country from New York to Los Angeles and several other places across the country. In 2020, she tried over 150 cases in the PHX ODAR and has a 50% approval rating. 

APPROVALS: 45% average nationwide 

 Honorable Judge Carla Waters began her career as an ALJ in Milwaukee before moving to Arizona in mid-2014. Since joining the Phoenix OHO, Judge Waters’ approval percentage is approximately 34%. 

APPROVALS: 34% from 2013-2019  

 Honorable Judge Sheldon Zisook started his career in 2010 working out of the Memphis ODAR before moving to Arizona. From 2012-2016, Judge Zisook presided over hearings in Phoenix North before switching to Phoenix. His approval percentage early in his career was over 43%, but over the past 3 years his approval percentage averages 33%.

APPROVALS: 33% from 2017-2020  

Honorable Judge Dante M. Alegre has practiced between California, Florida and Arizona since 2015 trying almost 700 cases in the Phoenix ODAR. He maintains an approval rating in the mid 20th percentile. 

APPROVALS: 24% from 2019-2020

 Honorable Judge Paula Atchison has worked her full career as an ALJ at the Phoenix and North Phoenix ODAR. Since 2017, she has approved 26% and denied 50% of claims held before her. Unfortunately, her approval rating has gone down in 2019 to just 24%, making her a very tough judge to go before. 

APPROVALS: 26% from 2017-2019