Opinion
Case No. 4:18-CV-206-PLC
08-23-2018
ZAREEN RAZAWI, Plaintiff, v. NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Social Security Administration, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This case is before the Court on Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412. (ECF No. 17) Plaintiff requests an award of $6,342.17, representing 31.4 hours of attorney work at a rate of $201.98 per hour. Plaintiff attaches the "Fee Agreement and Assignment," in which she assigned any court-awarded attorney's fees to her attorney, Erica Nuyen. (ECF No. 17-3)
Defendant filed a response to Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees, in which she states: "Defendant has no objection to Plaintiff's request for attorney fees under the EAJA in the amount of $6,342.17." (ECF No. 18). Defendant requests that the Court enter an order of $6,342.17 to be paid by the Social Security Administration. She notes, however, that any award of attorney's fees is subject to offset to satisfy any preexisting debt Plaintiff owes to the United States. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010).
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's motion for an award of attorney's fees (ECF No. 17) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff is awarded EAJA attorney's fees in the amount of $6,342.17, subject to offset for any preexisting debt that the Plaintiff owes to the United States. After determining whether Plaintiff owes any debt to the United States that is subject to offset, Defendant is directed to pay the EAJA fees directly to Plaintiff's attorney.
/s/_________
PATRICIA L. COHEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Dated this 23rd day of August, 2018