Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Shelton, Karen

NEWARKNew Jersey Stable

+2.2 pts vs national average

59.9%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge59.9%

NEWARK56.3%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

282

Fully favorable

127

45.0%

Partially favorable

14.9%

Denials

113

40.1%

Total dispositions

332

Dismissals

15.1%

Awards

169

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 45.0%Partially fav. 14.9%Denied 40.1%

Approval rate history

FY2015

55.2%96 dec

FY2016

48.3%362 dec

FY2017

53.3%366 dec

FY2018

65.0%366 dec

FY2019

57.8%410 dec

FY2020

61.0%333 dec

FY2021

61.7%227 dec

FY2022

57.7%260 dec

FY2023

65.6%241 dec

FY2024

61.7%303 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at NEWARK (9)

Merrill, Theresa
245 dec78.0%
Shillin, Beth
180 dec63.3%
West, Richard
269 dec62.1%
Campbell, John
90 dec60.0%
Costa, Leonard
293 dec59.4%
Allard, Sharon
277 dec57.8%
Damille, Ricardy
346 dec55.5%
Ayers, Kenneth
305 dec42.6%
Lee, Peter
289 dec24.2%

Judges in New Jersey with the most decisions

Patterson, Karen
SOUTH JERSEY432 dec
Kenneally, Kevin
JERSEY CITY425 dec
Gonzalez, Robert
JERSEY CITY389 dec
Varillo, Kimberly
SOUTH JERSEY388 dec
Moore, Trina
JERSEY CITY368 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.