Opinion
3:23-cv-04478-LJC
04-16-2024
COCO JOLIANA MCAULIFFE, Plaintiff, v. MARTIN J. O'MALLEY, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. v.
Francesco Benavides, CSBN 258924 Law Offices of Francesco Benavides Attorney for Plaintiff COCO JOLIANA MCAULIFFE ISMAIL J. RAMSEY United States Attorney MATHEW W. PILE Associate General Counsel Social Security Administration THOMAS E. CHANDLER Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys for Defendant (*Permission to use electronic signature obtained via email on April 15, 2024).
Francesco Benavides, CSBN 258924 Law Offices of Francesco Benavides Attorney for Plaintiff COCO JOLIANA MCAULIFFE
ISMAIL J. RAMSEY United States Attorney MATHEW W. PILE Associate General Counsel Social Security Administration
THOMAS E. CHANDLER Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys for Defendant (*Permission to use electronic signature obtained via email on April 15, 2024).
STIPULATION FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT; ORDER
HON. LISA J. CISNEROS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount of $8,425.84, under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and no costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920. This amount represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 2412(d), 1920.
After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Plaintiff, the government will consider the matter of Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees to counsel. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 177 L.Ed.2d 91 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on whether the fees are subject to any offset allowed under the United States Department of the Treasury's Offset Program. After the order for EAJA fees is entered, the government will determine whether they are subject to any offset.
Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Plaintiff's counsel, Francesco Benavides, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff.
This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff's request for EAJA attorney fees and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Francesco Benavides, including the Law Offices of Francesco Benavides, may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.
This award is without prejudice to the rights of Francesco Benavides to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: April 15, 2024
ORDER
Based upon the parties' Stipulation for the Award and Payment of Equal Access to Justice Act Fees and Expenses, IT IS ORDERED that fees and expenses in the amount of $8,425.84 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and no costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920, be awarded subject to the terms of the Stipulation.