Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00407/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00407-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:402 Social Security Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRESNO DIVISION

Maria Esther Ruiz,

Plaintiff,

v.

Andrew Saul, Commissioner of 

Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:19-cv-00407-JDP

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE 

AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER 

THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT 

(EAJA) 

28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

TO THE HONORABLE JEREYMY D. PETERSON, MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT:

The Parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the Court’s approval, 

stipulate that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees in the amount of EIGHT THOUSAND, 

FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND 00/100, $8,500.00, 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. § 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 counsel. Pursuant to 

Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 177 L.Ed.2d 91 (2010), the ability 

Case 1:19-cv-00407-JDP Document 22 Filed 05/18/20 Page 1 of 4
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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 to be made directly to counsel, pursuant to the assignment executed 

by Plaintiff. Any payments made shall be delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel, Jonathan O. 

Peña.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff’s request for 

EAJA fees, and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant 

under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of EIGHT THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED 

DOLLARS AND 00/100, $8,500.00, in EAJA attorney fees shall constitute a complete 

release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s attorney, 

Jonathan O. Peña and / or Peña & Bromberg, PLC, may have relating to EAJA attorney 

fees in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff’s attorney and / or Peña 

& Bromberg, PLC to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), 

subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA. 

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: April 20, 2020 /s/ Jonathan O. Peña

JONATHAN O. PEÑA

Attorney for Plaintiff 

Dated: May 14, 2020 McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL

Case 1:19-cv-00407-JDP Document 22 Filed 05/18/20 Page 2 of 4
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Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX

Social Security Administration

 By: _*_Marcelo N. Illarmo 

Marcelo N. Illarmo

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant 

(*Permission to use electronic signature 

obtained via email on 05/14/2020)

Case 1:19-cv-00407-JDP Document 22 Filed 05/18/20 Page 3 of 4
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ORDER

The parties’ stipulation is approved.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 15, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

No. 204.

Case 1:19-cv-00407-JDP Document 22 Filed 05/18/20 Page 4 of 4