--- title: "Louis J Volz | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/louis-j-volz-ssa-administrative-law-judge" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Louis J Volz SSA Office of Hearings Operations, New Orleans · Administrative Law Judge ## Profile - Court: SSA Office of Hearings Operations, New Orleans - State: Louisiana - Role: Administrative Law Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Louis Joseph Volz is a long-time Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at the Social Security Administration (SSA), serving at the New Orleans Hearing Office since 2008, with a career spanning nearly four decades in federal legal service - Direct profile employment entries list SSA Senior Attorney Aug 1987–Jun 2008 and SSA Administrative Law Judge Jun 2008–present - In June 2008, he was appointed Administrative Law Judge at the SSA’s New Orleans Hearing Office - Began his legal career in 1980 as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana, working in the Civil Division on matters among them civil rights, Social Security appeals, USDA, HUD, and IRS cases - His education at the University of New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans School of Law provided the foundation for a career in public service, culminating in his current role as an SSA judge in New Orleans ### Education - He then completed his J.D. in Civil Law at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (1977–1980). - He attended Brother Martin High School before earning a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Orleans (1973–1977). ### Additional information - As of the latest available data, he has an 85% approval rate in the 12 months ending November 2025, well above the national average of 58%. - Commissioner and committee chair on the New Orleans City Planning Commission (2003–2013). - Served until 1984, when he became a Senior Lawyer with the SSA, a role he held for 20 years. - Louis J. Volz was born September 29, 1955 and grew up in New Orleans. - Past President of the Coliseum Square Association (Lower Garden District). - During law school, he was active in the Student Bar Association, Student Government, the University Court, and the Loyola Law Clinic, and was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. - Beyond his judicial work, Volz has been active in New Orleans civic life. - Board member and volunteer leadership roles with the Human Rights Campaign, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, and FORUM FOR EQUALITY PAC. - Louis J. Volz’s career blends federal legal service, judicial decision-making, and community leadership. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### hearing mode selection Scope: courtwide An SSA hearing may be held in person, by private-location telephone audio, by agency video at an SSA office, or by online video from a private location; online video requires agreement, while the notice explains how to object to audio or agency video. Evidence excerpt: Your hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ) can take place in one of four ways: [Ways to Attend Your Social Security Hearing Before a Judge](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_options.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### online video arrival and setup Scope: courtwide For an online video hearing, test Microsoft Teams in advance, join at least 15 minutes early, use a quiet private location, and turn on the camera and microphone after joining. Evidence excerpt: It is recommended you open this link at least 15 minutes before your hearing start time. [SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### online video chat visibility Scope: courtwide Microsoft Teams chat can be used to alert the judge to an unresolved technical problem, but every chat message is visible to all hearing participants. Evidence excerpt: However, please note that any messages in the chat will be viewable by all participants in the hearing. [SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### five business day evidence rule Scope: courtwide Inform SSA about or submit written evidence at least five business days before the scheduled hearing; later evidence may be declined unless the circumstances in 20 CFR 404.935(b) or 416.1435(b) apply. Evidence excerpt: Generally, if a claimant informs the Social Security Administration (SSA) about or submits evidence less than five business days before the date of the scheduled hearing, at, or after the hearing, the ALJ may decline to obtain or consider the evidence, unless the circumstances in 20 CFR 404.935(b) and 416.1435(b) apply. [HALLEX I-2-6-59 - Admitting Evidence Submitted Less Than Five Business Days Before the Hearing or At or After the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-59.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### proposed exhibit objections Scope: courtwide Before testimony, the ALJ asks whether the claimant or representative examined the proposed exhibits, invites objections to admission, and rules on those objections. Evidence excerpt: Before taking any testimony, the ALJ will make the proposed exhibits a part of the record by: [HALLEX I-2-6-58 - Admitting Evidence Submitted At Least Five Business Days Before the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-58.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### hearing sequence Scope: courtwide SSA ALJ hearings generally proceed through an introduction, opening statement, oath or affirmation, evidence, oral testimony, written or oral argument, and a closing statement. Evidence excerpt: To accomplish this goal, ALJ hearings generally follow the same format, as follows: [HALLEX I-2-6-1 - Hearings, General](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-1.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### hearing recording Scope: courtwide SSA makes the official verbatim audio record. Photographs, screenshots, and video recording are prohibited; a claimant seeking a private recording must request permission under HALLEX I-2-6-52.D. Evidence excerpt: However, no individual is permitted to take photographs or screenshots or use video recording devices during a hearing. [HALLEX I-2-6-40 - Record of the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-40.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### testimony under oath Scope: courtwide Testimony is generally taken under oath or affirmation on the record, unless the ALJ finds an important reason not to administer one. Evidence excerpt: Generally, an administrative law judge (ALJ) will take all testimony provided at the hearing under oath or affirmation, unless the ALJ finds that there is an important reason not to. [HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### limited english interpreter Scope: courtwide When testimony from a claimant or witness with limited English proficiency is needed, the ALJ ensures an interpreter is available for the oath and testimony. Evidence excerpt: If an ALJ determines that the testimony of a claimant or witness with limited proficiency in English is needed to inquire fully into the issues, the ALJ will ensure that an interpreter is available when administering the oath to and taking testimony from the claimant or witness. [HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### questioning witnesses Scope: courtwide A claimant or representative generally may question a witness after the ALJ's initial questioning, subject to the ALJ's control over timing and limits on repetitive, cumulative, intimidating, harassing, or embarrassing questioning. Evidence excerpt: The ALJ will usually provide a claimant or representative the opportunity to question a witness after the ALJ completes his or her initial questioning of the witness. [HALLEX I-2-6-60 - Testimony of Claimants and Witnesses](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-60.html) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html) - [Official roster](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html) - [Social Security Administration judicial profile or roster](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html) - [Ways to Attend Your Social Security Hearing Before a Judge](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_options.html) - [SSA Online Video Hearings](https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_video.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-59 - Admitting Evidence Submitted Less Than Five Business Days Before the Hearing or At or After the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-59.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-58 - Admitting Evidence Submitted At Least Five Business Days Before the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-58.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-1 - Hearings, General](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-1.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-40 - Record of the Hearing](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-40.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-54 - Oaths and Affirmations](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-54.html) - [HALLEX I-2-6-60 - Testimony of Claimants and Witnesses](https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-6-60.html) - [www.linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-volz-6837b94) - [www.chroniclelegal.com](https://www.chroniclelegal.com/hearings/judges/louis-j-volz) - [disabilityjudges.org](https://disabilityjudges.org/volz-louis-j-new-orleans/) - [www.chroniclelegal.com](https://www.chroniclelegal.com/hearings/judges/iii-louis-j-volz) - [www.disabilityjudges.com](https://www.disabilityjudges.com/judge/iii-volz/) - [claimsboost.com](https://claimsboost.com/disability-benefits/judges/volz-louis-j-y32) - [www.mylife.com](https://www.mylife.com/louis-volz/e910210027980) - [www.natchezdemocrat.com](https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/natchez-board-appoints-former-new-orleans-judge-louis-j-volz-iii-to-city-planning-commission-b1715135) - [openpayrolls.com](https://openpayrolls.com/employee/louis-j-volz-9726) - [www.martindale.com](https://www.martindale.com/attorney/hon-louis-j-volz-iii-2155028/) - [mybenefitsdata.org](https://mybenefitsdata.org/judges/volz-louis-j) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/louis-j-volz-ssa-administrative-law-judge", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/louis-j-volz-ssa-administrative-law-judge", "name": "Louis J Volz | KnowJudges", "description": "Louis J Volz, SSA Office of Hearings Operations, New Orleans. 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