Abizer Zanzi
How Judge Zanzi decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He will not let an ALJ exclude evidence on a fraud rationale without first giving the claimant a chance to respond, even where the underlying suspicion (a consultative report apparently signed after the examining doctor's death) is substantial.
“There is nothing in the record indicating that Riffett's attorney was given the opportunity to respond before or after the ALJ's conclusion. ... [S]he 'may have a hard time... [but s]he is entitled to try.'”
A symptom the ALJ concedes exists cannot simply be noted and dropped -- if it plausibly bears on a claimant's ability to sustain full-time work, the decision must say what the ALJ did with it.
“If the ALJ discounted, discredited or had other reasons why Kratzman's asthma-induced fatigue did not change their RFC determination, the ALJ needed to say so.”
Procedural preferences
He holds claimants to their burden at the administrative level: an argument not raised at the hearing, or unsupported by any medical opinion suggesting greater limitations, does not win a remand on appeal.
“Plaintiff does not point to any other underlying evidence (beyond her own testimony), such as medical opinion evidence suggesting greater limitations, that she says the ALJ ignored. ... Without that, there is no error.”
For a pro se claimant's waiver of representation, he looks for the full paper trail -- repeated written notices plus an oral reminder at the hearing -- rather than any single formality.
“Corbett received the notice explaining his right to representation six times and signed at least two of those forms. He was reminded of his right at both hearings.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the reasons discussed, the Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED, and the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to enter judgment for the Defendant Commissioner of Social Security.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Commissioner's decision is REVERSED and REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“The Court hereby DENIES the relief requested in Plaintiff Jason J. Corbett's Opening Brief [DE 10] and AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”
“For the reasons discussed, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED, and the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to enter judgment in favor of the Defendant.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Commissioner's decision is REVERSED and REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Court hereby DENIES the relief requested in Plaintiff Justin T. Cummings' Opening Brief [DE 18] and AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Court hereby DENIES the relief requested in Plaintiff Richard D. Dell's Opening Brief [DE 21] and AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Court disagrees with Dvorak's arguments and finds no reversible error by the ALJ. Accordingly, the Court will affirm the ALJ's written decision.”
“For the reasons discussed, the Court disagrees with Swango's arguments and finds no reversible error by the ALJ. Accordingly, the Court will affirm the ALJ's written decision.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 193 days (N = 5).
Put Judge Zanzi's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Zanzi actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Zanzi's own signed orders and cites them.