Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00516/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00516-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:416 Denial of Social Security Benefits

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BENJAMIN WAGNER

United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL, CSBN 230138

Acting Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX 

Social Security Administration

MARCELO ILLARMO, MABN 670079

Special Assistant United States Attorney

160 Spear Street, Suite 800

San Francisco, CA 94105-1545

Telephone: (415) 977-8944

Facsimile: (415) 744-0134

E-mail: Marcelo.Illarmo@ssa.gov

Attorneys for Defendant

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES ARTHUR GRAVES,

Plaintiff,

 v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Acting Commissioner, Social Security

Defendant.

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Case No. 1:15-cv-00516-EPG

STIPULATIONAND ORDER FOR AWARD 

AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEYS FEES 

AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO EAJA 28 

U.S.C. §2412(d) AND COSTS PURSUANT 

TO 28 U.S.C. § 1920

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties, through their undersigned 

attorneys, subject to the approval of the Court, that James Arthur Graves (Plaintiff) be awarded 

attorney fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), 

in the amount of Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty dollars($5,250.00) and zero ($0.00) costs. 

This represents compensation for legal services rendered on behalf of 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 Plaintiff, the government will consider 

the matter of Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees to Plaintiff's attorney. Pursuant to Astrue v. 

Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598 (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 

Case 1:15-cv-00516-EPG Document 23 Filed 03/28/16 Page 1 of 3
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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 

approved to be made directly to Melissa Newel, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. 

Any payments made shall be delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff's request for EAJA 

attorney fees and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under 

EAJA. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any 

and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Melissa Newel or Newel Law (collectively “Plaintiff’s 

counsel”) may have relating to EAJA attorney fees and costs in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff’s counsel to seek Social Security 

Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the provisions of the EAJA.

Respectfully submitted,

Date: March 25, 2016 NEWEL LAW

By: /s/ *Melissa Newel

MELISSA NEWEL

* By email authorization on March 24, 2016

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

Dated: March 25, 2016 BRIAN J. STRETCH

Acting United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL

Acting Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX

Social Security Administration

By: /s/ Marcelo Illarmo 

MARCELO ILLARMO

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant 

Case 1:15-cv-00516-EPG Document 23 Filed 03/28/16 Page 2 of 3
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ORDER

Based upon the parties’ above Stipulation for the Award and Payment of Equal Access to 

Justice Act Fees, Costs, and Expenses (ECF No. 22), IT IS ORDERED that fees and expenses 

in the amount of Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty dollars ($5,250.00) as authorized by 28 

U.S.C. § 2412, and $0.00 (zero) costs, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1920, be awarded subject to the 

terms of the Stipulation. The Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to EAJA (ECF No. 19) is 

DENIED AS MOOT.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 28, 2016 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00516-EPG Document 23 Filed 03/28/16 Page 3 of 3