Scott J. Frankel

How Judge Frankel rules, drawn from 18 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
Position
magistrate
Commissioned
2024-08
Education
Oberlin College (B.A., 1981); The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., 1985, with honors)
Signed orders read
18

How Judge Frankel decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

In Social Security appeals, Frankel affirms the agency where the ALJ built an adequate 'logical bridge' from the record to the conclusion, even if the ALJ did not address every piece of evidence: he treats a reasonably explained decision as sufficient rather than requiring exhaustive discussion.

“The ALJ need not discuss every piece of evidence presented; rather, she must provide an accurate and logical bridge between the evidence and her conclusion.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Klahr v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2025-03-14
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Court AFFIRMS the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.”

Willis v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2025-03-18
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”

McAlister v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2025-03-12
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”

Keith v. Commissioner of the Social Security
· 2025-03-27
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED. Judgment is hereby entered in favor of Defendant Commissioner of Social Security and against Plaintiff.”

Irwin v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2026-01-27
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”

Groves v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2026-02-03
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“The Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”

Wright v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2026-02-06
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“Substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision, and specifically the ALJ's RFC finding. Therefore, the Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner's decision.”

Merriman v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2026-02-06
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted

“The Court now REMANDS the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration for further administrative proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Legel v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2026-03-24
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted

“The Court REVERSES and REMANDS the Commissioner's decision for further administrative proceedings.”

Arnett v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2025-09-26
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted

“The Court REMANDS this action to the SSA for further administrative proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Stockamp v. Commissioner of Social Security
· 2025-09-19
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted

“The Court now REMANDS this action to the SSA for further administrative proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Del Rio v. Laporte County Sheriff's Dept
· 2024-10-08
Summary judgment (defendant) Granted

“The Court GRANTS the defendants' motion for summary judgment; and DIRECTS the Clerk to enter judgment in favor of the defendants and against Gyle Del Rio and to close this case.”

Draft for Judge Frankel with the record in hand

Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Frankel, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.

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