Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_20-cv-01161/USCOURTS-azd-2_20-cv-01161-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (DIWC)

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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Robert J Platek,

Plaintiff,

v. 

Commissioner of Social Security 

Administration,

Defendant.

No. CV-20-01161-PHX-MTL

ORDER 

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Robert J. Platek’s Counsel’s Petition for 

Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1). (Doc. 32.) Section 406(b)(1) authorizes 

the recovery of reasonable attorney fees from the award of past-due benefits:

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, and 

the Commissioner of Social Security may, notwithstanding the 

provisions of section 405(i) of this title, but subject to 

subsection (d) of this section, certify the amount of such fee for 

payment to such attorney out of, and not in addition to, the 

amount of such past-due benefits.

42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A).

Plaintiff prevailed in his appeal to this Court from the administrative law judge’s 

decision. The Social Security Administration calculated Plaintiff’s past-due benefits as 

Case 2:20-cv-01161-MTL Document 34 Filed 12/05/23 Page 1 of 2
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$227,992.00. It withheld $56,998.00, representing 25 percent of the past-due benefits, to 

pay for potential attorney fees. 

Having successfully litigated this case, Plaintiff’s Counsel seeks an award of 

$21,170.00 in fees from Plaintiff’s recovery. The Court previously awarded Plaintiff 

$2,351.21 in attorney fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). (Docs. 

28, 31.) Plaintiff’s Counsel acknowledges that a § 406(b)(1) fee award must be offset by 

the previously awarded EAJA attorney fee.

The Court finds that the representation agreement between Plaintiff and his Counsel 

represents a lawful contingency fee agreement. See Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789 

(2002). The Court further finds that the hourly rate of $700 for work performed before the 

District Court, and $500 for work performed before the Ninth Circuit, are reasonable hourly 

rates considering the type of work, Counsel’s experience, and the contingency nature of 

the fee agreement. The Court finds that the hours expended by Counsel at the District Court 

and at the Ninth Circuit are reasonable. Finally, the Court finds that the requested fee award 

is well below the statutory cap of 25 percent of the total past-due benefits. 

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that the Motion (Doc. 32) is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s Counsel is 

awarded attorney’s fees in the amount of $21,170.00 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1).

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Counsel shall reimburse Plaintiff in 

the amount of $2,351.21, representing the EAJA fees previously awarded.

Dated this 5th day of December, 2023.

Case 2:20-cv-01161-MTL Document 34 Filed 12/05/23 Page 2 of 2