Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_19-cv-04771/USCOURTS-azd-2_19-cv-04771-2/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

Robin R Kavanaugh,

Plaintiff,

v. 

Commissioner of Social Security 

Administration,

Defendant.

No. CV-19-04771-PHX-MTL

ORDER 

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Robin R. Kavanaugh’s Counsel’s Motion for 

Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1). (Doc. 27.) 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 an appear to this Court from the administrative law judge’s 

decision denying benefits. The Social Security Administration calculated Plaintiff’s pastCase 2:19-cv-04771-MTL Document 28 Filed 12/05/23 Page 1 of 2
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due benefits as $138,164.00. It withheld $34,541.00, representing 25 percent of the pastdue benefits, to pay for potential attorney fees. 

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

$34,541.00 in fees from Plaintiff’s recovery. The Court previously awarded Plaintiff 

$5,500.00 in attorney fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). (Doc 26.)

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 requested fee award satisfies the statutory cap of 

25 percent of the total past-due benefits. The requested fee award is reasonable given the 

contingent nature of this case, the complexity involved, the work performed, the success 

obtained, and Counsel’s experience. An award of attorney fees under § 406(b)(1) is 

appropriate.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that the Motion (Doc. 27) is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s Counsel is 

awarded attorney’s fees in the amount of $34,541.00 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1).

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

the amount of $5,500.00, representing the EAJA fees previously awarded.

Dated this 5th day of December 2023.

Case 2:19-cv-04771-MTL Document 28 Filed 12/05/23 Page 2 of 2