Honorable David G Hatfield

Judge Hatfield worked in the Social Security Administration from 1976 until his retirement in 2012, serving in such key positions as the Acting Chief Judge, Assistant Regional Chief Judge, Hearing Office Chief Judge for the Seven Fields Hearing Office, Hearing Office Chief Judge for the Pittsburgh Hearing Office, Administrative Appeals Judge with the Appeals Council, and Director of the Office of Civil Actions. He also served in key policy roles, including as an attorney for the Acquiescence Task Force, Director of the Division of Litigation Analysis, Director of Hearing Policy and Procedures, and Chair of the Commissioner-level Policy and Procedure Steering Committee. Judge Hatfield has written and taught extensively in his field.

He was a faculty member for new Administrative Law Judge training since 1990, and was in charge of Supplemental Training for all new Administrative Law Judges. He was an Interactive Video Training lecturer since 1997 and has taught at the University of Pittsburgh Health Law Clinic and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He has testified before Congress regarding the Social Security disability program, and has been a frequent speaker on Social Security matters. Since his retirement, Judge Hatfield has worked as a consultant on Social Security matters. He has appeared as an expert witness, worked with the Social Security Advisory Board and the SSDI Solutions Project, and has given several CLE webinars on Social Security disability. He received his B.A with high distinction (Phi Beta Kappa) from Indiana University and his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.

Education 

1973-1976 

Indiana University Bloomington 

Bachelor Degree, History and Spanish 

1980 -1984

George Mason University School of Law

Juris Doctor (J.D), Law

Experience 

1995-2012 

Social Security Administration 

United States Administrative Law Judge

1993 – 1995 

Social Security Administration 

Administrative Appeal Judge 

2006 – 2006

Social Security Administration 

Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge 

2013 – 2016 

Senior Policy Advisor

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

2014 – Present 

Consultant and Expert Witness

David Hatfield Disability Consultant

Licenses & certifications

Virginia State Bar

Supreme Court of Virginia

Issued Oct 1984 · No Expiration Date

Volunteering

Aug 2009 – Present

Founded Pittsburgh chapter

Project H.E.L.P. – Homeless Experience Legal Protection

Jun 2012 – Present

Volunteer

North Hills Community Outreach

Publications&Books 

Jul 8, 2020

Things Are Not Rosy-Dory: Malaphors From Politicians and Pundits

Mar 1, 2016

He Smokes Like a Fish and other Malaphors

Organizations

Dec 1975 – Present

Phi Beta Kappa

Languages 

• English
• Spanish