In general, your hearing will not be like what you see on television or at the local courthouse. Your hearing will be held in a conference room before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Also present will be a hearing reporter who will record the hearing, your attorney and in most instances a vocational expert. The most important thing you can do for your hearing is to prepare! You will need to know what to expect, and your attorney should go over the likely questions that will be asked as well as the appropriate responses. Going into the hearing, you should feel comfortable with the process and how to talk to the Judge. Most hearings will last anywhere from 30-45 minutes and the Judge will not issue decision that day as they must issue a written decision.