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Brown v. Kijakazi

United States District Court, Eastern District of California
Nov 17, 2022
1:21-cv-00214-EPG (E.D. Cal. Nov. 17, 2022)

Opinion

1:21-cv-00214-EPG

11-17-2022

ANITA BROWN, Plaintiff, v. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.

Jonathan O. Peña, Esq. CA Bar ID No.: 278044 Peña & Bromberg, PLC Attorney for Plaintiff, Anita Brown UNITED


Jonathan O. Peña, Esq. CA Bar ID No.: 278044 Peña & Bromberg, PLC Attorney for Plaintiff, Anita Brown UNITED

ORDER RE: STIPULATION FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (ECF No. 29).

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 NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100 ($9,000.00) under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and cost in the amount of ZERO dollars ($0.00) 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).

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 Counsel, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any payments made shall be delivered and made payable to Plaintiff's counsel, Jonathan O. Pena.

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 Counsel including Counsel's firm may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Counsel and/or Counsel's firm to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

ORDER

Based upon the parties' stipulation (ECF No. 29), IT IS ORDERED that fees and expenses in the amount of $9000.00 as authorized by the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and no costs as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 1920, be awarded subject to the terms of the stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.


Summaries of

Brown v. Kijakazi

United States District Court, Eastern District of California
Nov 17, 2022
1:21-cv-00214-EPG (E.D. Cal. Nov. 17, 2022)
Case details for

Brown v. Kijakazi

Case Details

Full title:ANITA BROWN, Plaintiff, v. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social…

Court:United States District Court, Eastern District of California

Date published: Nov 17, 2022

Citations

1:21-cv-00214-EPG (E.D. Cal. Nov. 17, 2022)