Opinion
CV-24-08084-PCT-JAT
10-08-2024
Michelle L Weston, Plaintiff, v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration, Defendant.
ORDER
JAMES A. TEILBORG SENIOR UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Pending before the Court is the parties' stipulation to an award of attorneys' fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). (Doc. 11).
“A litigant is entitled to attorneys' fees under the EAJA if: ‘(1) he is the prevailing party; (2) the government fails to show that its position was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust; and (3) the requested fees and costs are reasonable.' Carbonell v. I.N.S., 429 F.3d 894, 898 (9th Cir. 2005) (citing Perez-Arellano v. Smith, 279 F.3d 791, 793 (9th Cir. 2002)); see also 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A).”Michele M. v. Saul, No. 19-CV-00272-JLB, 2020 WL 5203375, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 1, 2020).
Here, the totality of the parties' discussion regarding Plaintiff's entitlement to fees under the EAJA is: “ such award should not be used as precedent in future cases, nor be construed as a concession by the Commissioner that his original decision denying benefits was not substantially justified. Accordingly, Plaintiff is entitled to attorney fees in the amount of $1,932.49 as a compromise settlement, which does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise.” (Doc. 11 at 2).
Previously, this Court remanded this case to the social security administration for further proceedings. (Doc. 9). Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiff is the prevailing party.
Regarding prong two, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has explained:
Pursuant to the EAJA, we are required to award [Plaintiff] fees and other expenses incurred in connection with his civil action unless we find that the position of the United States was “substantially justified” or that special circumstances make an award unjust. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A).
The test for determining whether the Secretary's position was substantially justified under the EAJA is whether the position had a reasonable basis in both law and fact-that is, whether it was justified “to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person.” Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 565 (1988); see also Barry v. Bowen, 825 F.2d 1324, 1330 (9th Cir. 1987). The burden is on the Secretary to prove that his position was substantially justified. Id.Russell v. Sullivan, 930 F.2d 1443, 1445 (9th Cir. 1991).
The Government's stipulation to pay fees, while simultaneously not admitting it owes the fees, is an ambiguous legal position. This case was remanded by stipulation of the parties (Docs. 8-10), and this Court has never evaluated either party's positions. Nonetheless, applying the test as articulated in Russell, the Court finds that the Government has failed to carry its burden to prove that its position was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Russell, 930 F.2d at 1445; see also Michele M., 2020 WL 5203375, at *1.
Finally, the Court should award only reasonable fees. Here, the Court has not been provided with a billing statement. Thus, the Court does not know the rate charged or the hours expended. Nonetheless, the Court finds that the Government, by the stipulation, has conceded that the amount of fees sought in this case is reasonable.
Plaintiff's counsel states in the stipulation that Plaintiff has signed an assignment of any award of fees to her. The Court has not been provided with a copy of the assignment. Nonetheless, the Court will accept Plaintiff's counsel's representation that such an assignment is available in her records for review if this representation is ever disputed.
Based on the foregoing,
IT IS ORDERED granting the stipulation (Doc. 11) such that fees and expenses in the amount of $1,932.49 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and costs in the amount of $0 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 1920, are awarded to Plaintiff subject to the terms of the Stipulation.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if, after receiving this Order, the Commissioner: (1) determines that Plaintiff does not owe a debt that is subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program, and (2) agrees to waive the requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, then the check for the fees awarded herein will be made payable to Plaintiff's attorney pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. However, if there is a debt owed under the Treasury Offset Program, the Commissioner cannot agree to waive the requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, and any remaining Equal Access to Justice Act fees after offset will be paid by a check made out to Plaintiff but delivered to Plaintiff's attorney.
This award is without prejudice to Plaintiff seeking attorneys' fees under section 206(b) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the offset provisions of the EAJA.