Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Balter, Michael

AKRON OHOhio Stable

+4.0 pts vs national average

61.8%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge61.8%

AKRON OH50.7%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

408

Fully favorable

211

51.7%

Partially favorable

10.0%

Denials

156

38.2%

Total dispositions

480

Dismissals

15.0%

Awards

252

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 51.7%Partially fav. 10.0%Denied 38.2%

Approval rate history

FY2017

55.3%179 dec

FY2018

52.1%401 dec

FY2019

50.2%474 dec

FY2020

53.3%428 dec

FY2021

55.0%351 dec

FY2022

56.2%308 dec

FY2023

62.3%363 dec

FY2024

58.1%454 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at AKRON OH (6)

Lohr, Mary
338 dec61.5%
Shinn, Charles
416 dec56.7%
Cendrosky, Sharlee
371 dec52.0%
Panek, Jason
359 dec50.4%
Schmitz, Michael F.
402 dec37.1%
Beatty, Gregory M.
74 dec35.1%

Judges in Ohio with the most decisions

Ashford, Earl
TOLEDO OH397 dec
Jacques, Meredith
TOLEDO OH395 dec
Kearney, Keith
CLEVELAND389 dec
Meadows, Cristen
CINCINNATI375 dec
Carey, Patricia
TOLEDO OH371 dec

Next step

Estimate approval odds

See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.