Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Francis, Joyce

KNOXVILLETennessee Stable

-45.0 pts vs national average

12.7%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge12.7%

KNOXVILLE47.9%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

259

Fully favorable

10.4%

Partially favorable

2.3%

Denials

226

87.3%

Total dispositions

345

Dismissals

24.9%

Awards

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Denied

Fully fav. 10.4%Partially fav. 2.3%Denied 87.3%

Approval rate history

FY2017

7.7%13 dec

FY2018

11.2%260 dec

FY2019

8.8%554 dec

FY2020

12.7%307 dec

FY2021

16.8%291 dec

FY2022

14.4%298 dec

FY2023

15.8%292 dec

FY2024

14.7%279 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at KNOXVILLE (6)

Jones, Stephanie M
129 dec79.1%
Dixon, James
289 dec63.0%
Spangler, Todd
201 dec52.7%
Firestone, Scott
126 dec50.0%
Burton, Benjamin
213 dec44.1%
Grissom, K Dickson
6 dec33.3%

Judges in Tennessee with the most decisions

Pilkey, Keith C
KINGSPORT440 dec
Howard, Charles R.
KINGSPORT415 dec
Pottinger, John A.
KINGSPORT399 dec
Martin, Robert
NASHVILLE394 dec
Thomas, Jennifer
NASHVILLE394 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.