Opinion
2:21-cv-01296-VCF
10-17-2022
JOYCE ELAINE RHONE, Plaintiff, v. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
HAL TAYLOR Attorney for Plaintiff JASON M. FRIERSON United States Attorney District of Nevada DAVID PRIDDY, ILSBN 6313767 Special Assistant United States Attorney Attorneys for Defendant
HAL TAYLOR Attorney for Plaintiff
JASON M. FRIERSON United States Attorney District of Nevada
DAVID PRIDDY, ILSBN 6313767 Special Assistant United States Attorney Attorneys for Defendant
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)
HOR CAM FERENBACH 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 Joyce Elaine Rhone be awarded attorney fees in the amount of four thousand nine hundred dollars ($4,900.00) 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 Plaintiff, the government will consider the matter of Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees to Olinsky Law Group. 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 and expenses to be made directly to Olinsky Law Group, 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 Olinsky Law Group and Hal Taylor may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.
This award is without prejudice to the rights of Hal Taylor and/or Olinsky Law Group to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.
IT IS SO ORDERED