Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Leppala, Michael

ALBUQUERQUENew Mexico Stable

-6.6 pts vs national average

51.1%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge51.1%

ALBUQUERQUE55.1%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

321

Fully favorable

130

40.5%

Partially favorable

10.6%

Denials

157

48.9%

Total dispositions

400

Dismissals

19.8%

Awards

164

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 40.5%Partially fav. 10.6%Denied 48.9%

Approval rate history

FY2017

50.4%115 dec

FY2018

40.8%436 dec

FY2019

38.3%502 dec

FY2020

44.7%468 dec

FY2021

50.8%449 dec

FY2022

40.3%355 dec

FY2023

45.9%351 dec

FY2024

43.4%380 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at ALBUQUERQUE (17)

Stults, Douglas
338 dec83.4%
Suing, Timothy
22 dec77.3%
Juge, Christopher H.
170 dec62.9%
Fellabaum, Jennifer
241 dec60.2%
Elias, Yasmin
51 dec58.8%
Hansen, Holly
366 dec58.7%
Lough, Sarah
274 dec58.0%
Wiedemann, Karen
284 dec57.0%
Lindsay, Michelle
23 dec52.2%
Benedict, David
348 dec51.7%
Exnicios, Richard M.
331 dec50.5%
Timmins, Talia
268 dec48.1%
O'Melinn, Barry
286 dec47.2%
Hertzig, Michael S.
227 dec46.7%
Midles, Matt
211 dec45.0%
Freedman, Robert
351 dec43.0%
Van Vleck, Deborah J
234 dec39.7%

Judges in New Mexico with the most decisions

Frost-Wolf, Joyce
NHC ALBUQUERQUE248 dec
Pierce, Katie H
NHC ALBUQUERQUE85 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.