Summary
finding that a contingency fee agreement with an hourly rate of $418.20 for 39.7 hours of work in a Social Security case did not amount to a windfall to counsel
Summary of this case from Rodriguez v. BerryhillOpinion
No. 1:13-CV-00863 (MAT)
04-08-2017
NICHOLAS R. DOLDAN, Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, ACTING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
DECISION AND ORDER
I. Introduction
Represented by counsel, Nicholas R. Doldan ("plaintiff") brought this action pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act ("the Act"), seeking review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("the Commissioner") denying his application for supplemental security income ("SSI"). On April 1, 2016, this Court reversed that decision and remanded the case solely for the payment and calculation of benefits. Doc. 20. On February 27, 2017, the Social Security Administration ("SSA") issued a Notice of Award stating that plaintiff was entitled to $62, 410.00 in past due benefits. Doc. 25-5. Of that past due amount, $15,602.50 was withheld for attorney's fees. Id.
Plaintiff's counsel, Kenneth Hiller, Esq., has now moved for attorney's fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), asking that the Court approve the contingent fee arrangement between plaintiff and his attorney, whereby plaintiff agreed to pay his attorney 25 percent of any past-due benefits payable to him, for legal services performed in this proceeding. Docs. 25, 27. Plaintiff's counsel requests a fee award of $15,602.50 under Section 406(b), with the understanding that he will refund the fee previously awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), $7,000.00, upon receipt of the award.
Plaintiff's original motion (doc. 25) incorrectly stated that the SSA withheld $16,602.50. The amended motion (doc. 27) corrects that error. --------
The Commissioner filed a response dated April 3, 2017, which states no objections to the instant motion. For the reasons discussed below, plaintiff's counsel's motion is granted.
II. Discussion
Section 406(b) provides in relevant part that
[w]henever a court renders a judgment favorable to a claimant under this title who was represented before the court by an attorney, the court may determine and allow as part of its judgment a reasonable fee for such representation, not in excess of 25 percent of the total of the past-due benefits to which the claimant is entitled by such judgment . . .42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A). "The Commissioner's failure to oppose this motion is not dispositive, as '[S]ection 406(b) requires an affirmative judicial finding that the fee allowed is 'reasonable[.]'" Ewald v. Commissioner of Social Sec., 2008 WL 4104458,*1 n.1 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 3, 2008) (quoting Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 807 n.17 (2002)); see also Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 807 ("[Section] 406(b) calls for court review of such [contingent-fee] arrangements as an independent check, to assure that they yield reasonable results in particular cases.") (footnote omitted); id. at 808-09. "Within the 25 percent boundary" established by Congress in § 406(b)(1)(A), "the attorney for the successful claimant must show that the fee sought is reasonable for the services rendered." Id. at 807 (footnote omitted).
The Court begins its reasonableness analysis with the contingency agreement itself, which is unambiguous. The 25 percent fee for services provided by plaintiff's attorney does not exceed the statutory cap; moreover, 25 percent is a standard contingency fee for a Social Security case. Ewald, 2008 WL 4104458, at *2 (citing Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 803 (noting that "[c]haracteristically . . ., attorneys and clients enter into contingent-fee agreements specifying that the fee will be 25 percent of any past-due benefits" (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)). There is no suggestion in the record that the fee agreement was the product of fraud or overreaching. Counsel provided effective representation to plaintiff, securing a reversal of the Commissioner's adverse decision and the immediate award of benefits.
Turning next to the amount of the award requested, counsel asserts that plaintiff's past-due benefits totaled $62,410.00, and that, from this amount, $15,602.50 was withheld for the payment of attorney's fees. Plaintiff's counsel accordingly requests $15,602.50. Based on his itemization of hours for work performed before the District Court at 39.7 hours, this would result in a de facto hourly rate of $418.20. This rate does not represent a "windfall" to counsel, as the Commissioner acknowledges. See, e.g., Trupia v. Astrue, 2008 WL 858994, *3-*4 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2008) (finding award equivalent to $714.09 per hour not a windfall); Blizzard v. Commissioner of Soc. Sec., 496 F. Supp.2d 320, 323-24 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (finding award equivalent to $705.00 per hour not a windfall); Joslyn v. Barnhart, 389 F. Supp.2d 454, 456 (W.D.N.Y. 2005) (finding award equivalent to $891.61 per hour not a windfall).
In sum, the Court finds that plaintiff's request is reasonable. The Court directs the Commissioner to remit to plaintiff's counsel the requested $15,602.50 fee award, which award will be offset by the $7,000.00 award of EAJA fees.
III. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees is granted. The Commissioner is directed to remit to plaintiff's counsel $15,602.50. Upon receipt of the fee award, counsel is directed that he refund to plaintiff the sum of $7,000.00, the amount previously awarded as EAJA fees.
ALL OF THE ABOVE IS SO ORDERED.
S/Michael A. Telesca
HON. MICHAEL A. TELESCA
United States District Judge Dated: April 8, 2017
Rochester, New York.