You cannot assume that the ALJ will read all of the records submitted by the parties prior to issuing a written decision. Therefore, it is crucial that important statements and portions of records be referred to in live witness testimony and in a hearing brief, usually submitted after the hearing. In addition, you should organize all the documents you plan to submit and identify them in the manner determined by the ALJ at a “pre-hearing conference” or some time before the hearing. That way, the ALJ can easily refer to and locate documents both during and after the hearing.