Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00777/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00777-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PAUL MENDOZA,

Plaintiff,

vs.

NANCY A. BERRYHILL,

1 Acting

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

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Case No.: 1:15-cv-00777-GSA

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR 

THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF 

ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES

PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL 

ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2412(d) AND COSTS PURSUANT 

TO 28 U.S.C. § 1920

TO THE HONORABLE GARY S. AUSTIN, MAGISTRATE JUDGE OF 

THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT:

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their 

undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Paul Mendoza be 

awarded attorney fees in the amount of four thousand seven hundred dollars 

($4,700.00) 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 

 

1 Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Rule 

25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Nancy A. Berryhill should be substituted for 

Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin as the defendant in this suit. No further action needs 

to be taken to continue this suit by reason of the last sentence of section 205(g) of the Social 

Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

Case 1:15-cv-00777-GSA Document 24 Filed 02/01/17 Page 1 of 4
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Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1920; 2412(d). 

After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Paul Mendoza, the 

government will consider the matter of Paul Mendoza's assignment of EAJA fees 

to Young Cho. The retainer agreement containing the assignment is attached as 

exhibit 1. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 2529 (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 Paul Mendoza, but if the Department of the 

Treasury determines that Paul Mendoza does not owe a federal debt, then the 

government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made 

directly to Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing, pursuant to the assignment 

executed by Paul Mendoza.

2

 Any payments made shall be delivered to Young 

Cho.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Paul Mendoza's 

request for EAJA attorney fees, and does not constitute an admission of liability on 

the part of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount 

shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Paul 

Mendoza and/or Young Cho including Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing may 

have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action. 

 

2

The parties do not stipulate whether counsel for the plaintiff has a cognizable lien 

under federal law against the recovery of EAJA fees that survives the Treasury 

Offset Program. 

Case 1:15-cv-00777-GSA Document 24 Filed 02/01/17 Page 2 of 4
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This award is without prejudice to the rights of Young Cho and/or the Law 

Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 

42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

DATE: January 30, 2017 Respectfully submitted,

 LAW OFFICES OF LAWRENCE D. ROHLFING

/s/ Young Cho

 BY: __________________

 Young Cho

 Attorney for plaintiff Paul Mendoza

DATE: January 30, 2017 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

Acting United States Attorney

/s/ Donna W. Anderson

 

 DONNA W. ANDERSON

 Special Assistant United States Attorney 

 Attorneys for Defendant Carolyn W. Colvin, 

Acting Commissioner of Social Security 

 (Per e-mail authorization)

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Case 1:15-cv-00777-GSA Document 24 Filed 02/01/17 Page 3 of 4
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ORDER

Pursuant to the parties’ Stipulation filed on January 31, 2017 (Doc. 23), 

Equal Access to Justice Act fees (“EAJA”) and expenses in the amount of four 

thousand seven hundred dollars ($4,700.00) as authorized by 28 U.S.C. §§ 2412, 

and1920, shall be awarded to Plaintiff’s counsel. Any monies paid shall me made 

pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S. Ct. 1521, 2529 (2010), and in accordance to the 

terms of the stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 1, 2017 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00777-GSA Document 24 Filed 02/01/17 Page 4 of 4