Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05216/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05216-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AARON BELL, )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner )

of Social Security, )

)

)

)

Defendant. )

 )

1:04cv5216 OWW DLB

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION

REGARDING PETITION FOR FEES 

(Document 15)

Petitioner Terry LaPorte (“Counsel”), attorney for Plaintiff Aaron Bell (“Plaintiff”), filed

the instant petition for fees on September 25, 2007. Counsel requests fees in the amount of

$6,475.00 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1). The petition has been referred to the undersigned

for Findings and Recommendation to the District Court.

BACKGROUND 

Plaintiff filed his social security complaint on February 2, 2004. Pursuant to the parties’

stipulation, the Court ordered the case remanded on November 9, 2004. On March 24, 2005, the

Court ordered payment of attorney’s fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”)

in the amount of $2,400.00. 

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28 Counsel has received $4,000.00 of the amount withheld for work before the Social Security 1

Administration (“SSA”). 

2

An ALJ subsequently issued a favorable decision and awarded Plaintiff $49,553.00 in

past-due Title II benefits. The Commissioner withheld 25 percent of the past-due benefits award,

in the amount of $12,388.25, for payment of attorney’s fees.1

By this motion, Counsel seeks $6,475.00 for 18.5 hours of work before this Court. After

crediting $2,400.00 received previously pursuant to the EAJA, Counsel requests a net fee of

$4,075.00 from the past-due award. 

DISCUSSION

42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A) provides in relevant part:

Whenever a court renders a judgment favorable to a claimant under this subchapter who 

was represented before the court by an attorney, the court may determine and allow as

part of its judgment a reasonable fee for such representation, not in excess of 25 percent

of the total of the past-due benefits to which the claimant is entitled by reason of such

judgment . . .

In Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 807 (2002), the Supreme Court explained that a

district court reviews a petition for section 406(b) fees “as an independent check” to assure that

contingency fee agreements between claimants and their attorneys will “yield reasonable results

in particular cases.” Agreements are not enforceable to the extent that they provide for fees

exceeding 25 percent of the past-due benefits. Id. “Within the 25 percent boundary. . . the

attorney for the successful claimant must show that the fee sought is reasonable for the services

rendered.” Id.

In determining the reasonableness of an award, the district court should consider the

character of the representation and the results achieved. Id. Ultimately, an award of section

406(b) fees is offset by an award of attorney’s fees granted under the EAJA. 28 U.S.C. § 2412;

Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 796. 

Here, Counsel and Plaintiff agreed upon a contingent fee of 25 percent of past-due

benefits. See Petition, at 4. Counsel’s request of $6,475.00, when added to the $4,000.00

already received for work before the SSA, does not exceed the statutory limit. 42 U.S.C.§

406(b)(1)(A).

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Counsel’s fee request of $6,475.00 for 18.5 hours of work translates into an hourly rate of

$350.00. Counsel concedes that the $2,400.00 received previously should be credited to

Plaintiff, which amounts to a net award of $4,075.00. Using the net award, this translates to an

hourly rate of $220.27 per hour. The Court finds this to be a reasonable rate in recognition of the

contingent nature of this case and Counsel’s assumption of the risk of going uncompensated. 

Hearn v. Barnhart, 262 F.Supp.1033, 1037 (N.D. Cal. 2003). Therefore, the Court recommends

an award of attorney’s fees in the amount of $4,075.00. Adding the $2,400.00 previously

awarded, this totals $6,475.00.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the foregoing, the Court recommends that the petition be GRANTED and

recommends an award in the amount of $6,475.00, less $2,400.00 awarded for EAJA fees, for a

net award of $4,075.00.

These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Honorable Oliver W.

Wanger, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fifteen (15) days after

being served with these findings and recommendations, the parties may file written objections

with the court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings 

and Recommendations.” The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the

specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951

F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: December 4, 2007 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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