Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Merchant, George W.

BIRMINGHAMAlabama Trending up

-22.8 pts vs national average

35.0%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge35.0%

BIRMINGHAM50.6%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

409

Fully favorable

123

30.1%

Partially favorable

4.9%

Denials

266

65.0%

Total dispositions

490

Dismissals

16.5%

Awards

143

3-year trend

Rising

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Denied

Fully fav. 30.1%Partially fav. 4.9%Denied 65.0%

Approval rate history

FY2012

26.9%361 dec

FY2013

29.0%472 dec

FY2014

39.0%402 dec

FY2015

39.3%438 dec

FY2016

36.1%452 dec

FY2017

42.9%452 dec

FY2018

35.3%476 dec

FY2019

34.7%450 dec

FY2020

44.0%416 dec

FY2021

40.4%324 dec

FY2022

29.6%250 dec

FY2023

41.4%251 dec

FY2024

38.6%290 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at BIRMINGHAM (7)

Turner, Brian
374 dec75.1%
Waller, Robert
61 dec60.7%
Jackson, Monica D
335 dec57.6%
Kraft, Emilie
385 dec54.5%
Johnson, Lisa M
297 dec44.1%
Helmer, Mary E
347 dec40.3%
Guthrie, Clarence
446 dec37.4%

Judges in Alabama with the most decisions

Campbell, Daniel S
MOBILE392 dec
South, Ricky V.
MONTGOMERY387 dec
Barnett-Jefferson, Renita
MONTGOMERY384 dec
Boucher, Kevin
MOBILE373 dec
Robinson, Laura L
MOBILE363 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.