Opinion
Brian C. Shapiro, Attorney at Law 192789, Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing, Santa Fe Springs, CA, Attorneys for Plaintiff, Carol A. Petersen-Keislar.
BENJAMIN B. WAGNER, United States Attorney, Francesco Benavides, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Attorneys for Defendant Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.
STIPULATION FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) AND COSTS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1920 AND ORDER
BARBARA A. McAULIFFE, Magistrate Judge.
TO THE HONORABLE BARBARA A. McALUIFFE, MAGISTRATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT:
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Carol A. Petersen-Keislar be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount of FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE dollars ($4, 685) under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). 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. §§ 1920; 2412(d).
After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Carol A. Petersen-Keislar, the government will consider the matter of Carol A. Petersen-Keislar's assignment of EAJA fees to Brian C. Shapiro. The retainer agreement containing the assignment is attached as exhibit 1. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff , 130 S.Ct. 2521, 2529 (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 Carol A. Petersen-Keislar, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that Carol A. Petersen-Keislar does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing, pursuant to the assignment executed by Carol A. Petersen-Keislar. Any payments made shall be delivered to Brian C. Shapiro.
This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Carol A. Petersen-Keislar'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 Carol A. Petersen-Keislar and/or Brian C. Shapiro including Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.
This award is without prejudice to the rights of Brian C. Shapiro and/or the Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.
ORDER
Upon a review of the stipulation, Plaintiff's counsel shall be awarded attorney fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED and EIGHTY FIVE dollars and 00/100 cents ($4, 685.00) subject to the terms of the Stipulation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.