Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01010/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01010-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:416 Denial of Social Security Benefits

---

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

McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL, CSBN 230138

Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX

Social Security Administration

Jeffrey Chen

Special Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant Regional Counsel

Social Security Administration, Region IX

160 Spear Street, Suite 800

San Francisco, California 94105 

Tel: (415) 977-8956

Fax: (415) 744-0134

E-mail: Jeffrey.Chen@ssa.gov

Attorneys for Defendant

Jonathan O. Peña, Esq.

CA Bar ID No.: 278044

Peña & Bromberg, PLC

2440 Tulare St., Ste. 320

Fresno, CA 93721

Telephone: 559-439-9700

Facsimile: 559-439-9700

info@jonathanpena.com

Attorney for Plaintiff, Serina Teresa Purcella

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRESNO DIVISION

Serina Teresa Purcella,

Plaintiff,

v.

Andrew Saul, Commissioner of 

Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:18-cv-01010-SKO

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE 

AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER 

THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT 

(EAJA) 

28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

(Doc. 29)

Case 1:18-cv-01010-SKO Document 30 Filed 01/28/20 Page 1 of 4
-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

TO THE HONORABLE SHEILA K. OBERTO , 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 SEVEN THOUSAND 

DOLLARS AND 00/100, $7,000.00, 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 

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, expenses and costs 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. Payment of SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100, 

$7,000.00, 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, may have 

relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

Case 1:18-cv-01010-SKO Document 30 Filed 01/28/20 Page 2 of 4
-3-

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

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff’s attorney 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: January 27, 2020 /s/ Jonathan O. Peña

JONATHAN O. PEÑA

Attorney for Plaintiff 

Dated: January 27, 2020 McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL

Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX

Social Security Administration

 By: _*_Jeffrey Chen 

Jeffrey Chen

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant 

(*Permission to use electronic signature 

obtained via email on January 27, 2020). 

ORDER

Based upon the parties’ above “Stipulation for the Award and Payment of Attorney 

Fees Under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. §2412(d)” (the “Stipulation”) 

(Doc. 29), IT IS ORDERED that attorney’s fees in the amount of SEVEN THOUSAND 

DOLLARS AND 00/100, $7,000.00 as authorized under the Equal Access to Justice Act 

(EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), be awarded subject to the terms of the Stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 28, 2020 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:18-cv-01010-SKO Document 30 Filed 01/28/20 Page 3 of 4
-4-

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

Case 1:18-cv-01010-SKO Document 30 Filed 01/28/20 Page 4 of 4