Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01504/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01504-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:205 Denial Social Security Benefits

---

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff’s counsel Steven Rosales requests that the Court modify its order awarding attorneys’ 

fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), asserting information learned after the order was issued indicates 

the fee award should be reduced. (Doc. 30) The Court awarded fees in the amount of $18,733.50, 

based upon the retroactive benefits Plaintiff received, which totaled $74,940.00. (Doc. 29) However, 

according to Mr. Rosales:

The Commissioner ultimately determined, however, that Plaintiff had already received 

$5,377.00 in benefits beginning December 2012 through May 2013 and deducted that 

amount from Plaintiff’s retroactive benefits (Exhibit A). Consequently, counsel was 

entitled to an award of twenty-five percent of the actual amount awarded—twenty-five 

percent of $69,539.00, which totals $17,384.75 (Exhibit A). 

(Doc. 30 at 3) As a result, “Counsel’s request for $18,733.50 exceeded the actual retroactive benefit 

due to imperfect information available at the time.” (Id.) 

Further, Mr. Rosales learned “that his client’s prior administrative Counsel who assisted his 

client with the administrative proceedings before and after the civil action was filed independently 

CHERYL CHAMPION,

 Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, 

Acting Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Case No.: 1:11-cv-01504 - JLT

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR 

MODIFICATION OF THE FEE AWARD UNDER 

42 U.S.C. § 406(b)

(Doc. 30)

Case 1:11-cv-01504-JLT Document 31 Filed 12/01/16 Page 1 of 2
2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

sought, was approved, and received a fee in the amount of $13,038.53.” (Doc. 30 at 3) This award 

reduced the amount of money held by the Social Security Administration for the purposes of a fee 

award. (Id.) Accordingly, Mr. Rosales was only entitled to an award of $4,346.00. (Id. at 3-4)

Based upon the information provided by Counsel regarding the past due benefits paid to 

Plaintiff and the award of attorney fees granted to her prior counsel, it is clear the fee award must be 

modified. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS:

1. The request for modification of the fee award is GRANTED;

2. The fee award is AMENDED to $4,346.00;

3. The Commissioner is DIRECTED to pay the amount of $4,346.00 directly to 

Counsel; and

4. Counsel is DIRECTED to refund the fees that have been paid to Counsel by the 

Commissioner, in the amount of $3,500.00, to Plaintiff Cheryl Champion.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 1, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:11-cv-01504-JLT Document 31 Filed 12/01/16 Page 2 of 2