Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-02810/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-02810-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

---

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

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. C 06-02810 JW -1-

SCOTT N. SCHOOLS (SCSBN 9990)

United States Attorney

JOANN M.. SWANSON (CSBN 88143)

Chief, Civil Division

CLAIRE T. CORMIER (CSBN 154364)

Assistant United States Attorney

150 Almaden Blvd., Suite 900

San Jose, California 95113

Telephone: (408) 535-5082

FAX: (408) 535-5081

claire.cormier@usdoj.gov

Attorneys for Federal Respondents

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

ROBERT S. ZABALA,

Petitioner,

v.

MICHAEL W. HAGEE, Commandant of

the United States Marine Corps, PAUL K.

LEBIDINE, Lieutenant Colonel of the

Marine Corps, DOES 1 - 20 inclusive,

 

Respondents.

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Case No. C 06-02810 JW

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE

ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND

[PROPOSED] ORDER 

On March 29, 2007, this Court entered an Order Granting Writ of Habeas Corpus. 

Shortly thereafter, petitioner’s attorney advised that petitioner would be seeking attorneys’ fees

and costs pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). Though respondents do not

concede that plaintiff would be entitled to such fees, the parties wish to settle this matter without

further action by the Court.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties to this action

as follows:

1. The parties do hereby agree to settle and compromise the above-described claim for

attorneys’ fees and costs under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Case 5:06-cv-02810-JW Document 19 Filed 05/31/07 Page 1 of 5
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

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. C 06-02810 JW -2-

2. The parties have agreed that respondents will pay the sum of $8,750.00 in fees and

costs claimed by petitioner relating to this action. Except for that amount, all parties will pay

their own fees and costs. 

3. The parties agree that they will not seek reconsideration of the Court’s decision on the

petitions in this action, nor will they seek to appeal the decision.

4. Petitioner and his attorneys hereby agree to accept the sum of $8,750.00 in full

settlement and satisfaction of petitioner’s claims for attorneys’ fees and costs in this action,

including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to EAJA.

5. This stipulation for compromise settlement is entered into by all parties for the

purpose of compromising disputed claims and avoiding the expenses and risks of litigation. This

settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or fault on the part of the respondents or

an admission that petitioner is entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs under EAJA.

6. It is the intent of the parties that payment of the settlement amount will be made by

electronic deposit into the bank account for petitioner’s attorney. Petitioner’s attorney will

promptly provide the necessary information relating to that account. If for any reason electronic

deposit is not possible or practical, payment of the settlement amount will be made by check

payable to “Stephen L. Collier, Attorney.”

7. Upon approval of this settlement by all parties and the Court, and upon receipt of

petitioner’s attorney’s banking information, respondents’ counsel will promptly submit to the

United States Marine Corps all documentation required for payment of the settlement amount,

and will promptly respond to any requests for further information relating to this settlement.

8. In consideration of the payment set forth in paragraph two, above, petitioner, on behalf

of petitioner and his respective heirs, successors and assigns, hereby releases and forever

discharges respondents Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps,

Paul K. Lebidine, Lieutenant Colonel of the Marine Corps, the United States Marine Corps, the

United States Department of the Navy, the United States of America, its political subdivisions,

its officials, officers, agents, and employees from any and all obligations, damages, liabilities,

actions, causes of actions, claims and demands of any kind and nature whatsoever, whether

Case 5:06-cv-02810-JW Document 19 Filed 05/31/07 Page 2 of 5
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

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. C 06-02810 JW -3-

suspected or unsuspected, at law or in equity, known or unknown, arising out of the allegations

set forth in petitioner’s pleadings in these actions, including but not limited to any and all claims

for attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to the proceedings in this action. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, petitioner reserves and does not release the right to any relief granted him by this

Court’s Order Granting Writ of Habeas Corpus, and retains any and all rights to enforce that

order, including the right to seek attorneys’ fees necessitated by such enforcement actions. 

Petitioner does not release any rights he may have to veterans or other military benefits resulting

from his military service and/or discharge, or to correct his military record.

9. The provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542 are set forth below:

"A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or

suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known

by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor."

Petitioner, having been apprised of the statutory language of Civil Code Section 1542 by his

attorneys, and fully understanding the same, nevertheless elects to waive the benefits of any and

all rights he may have pursuant to the provision of that statute and any similar provision of

federal law, save those rights reserved herein. Petitioner understands that, if the facts concerning

injuries or liability for damages pertaining thereto are found hereinafter to be other than or

different from the facts now believed by him to be true, the Agreement shall be and remain

effective notwithstanding such material difference.

10. This agreement is in no way related to or concerned with income or other taxes for

which petitioner or his attorneys are now liable or may become liable in the future as a result of

this agreement.

11. Petitioner warrants and represents that no other action with respect to his attorneys’

fees and expenses relating to the proceedings in this case are pending or will be filed with any

other court, legislative body, or administrative agency. Petitioner further warrants and represents

that he has made no assignment or transfer of his claim for attorneys’ fees and expenses.

12. This agreement is for the purpose of settling this case and for no other purpose. 

Accordingly, this agreement shall not bind the parties, nor shall it be cited or otherwise referred

Case 5:06-cv-02810-JW Document 19 Filed 05/31/07 Page 3 of 5
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

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. C 06-02810 JW -4-

to, in any proceedings, whether judicial or administrative in nature, in which the parties or

counsel for the parties have or may acquire an interest, except as is necessary to effect the terms

of this agreement.

13. This instrument shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and it is

expressly understood and agreed that the agreement has been freely and voluntarily entered into

by the parties hereto with the advice of counsel, who have explained the legal effect of this

agreement. The parties further acknowledge that no warranties or representations have been

made on any subject other than as set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be

altered, modified or otherwise changed in any respect except by writing, duly executed by all of

the parties or their authorized representatives.

14. Should any dispute arise with respect to the implementation of the terms of this

Agreement, petitioner shall not seek to rescind the Agreement. Petitioner’s sole remedy in such a

dispute is an action, motion, or hearing to enforce the Agreement in District Court. The parties

agree that the District Court will retain jurisdiction over this matter for the purposes of resolving

any dispute regarding this agreement or any alleged breach of this Agreement, including but not

limited to unreasonable delay in the payment of the settlement amount.

15. Petitioner’s and respondents’ counsel represent that they have been and are

authorized to enter into this settlement agreement on behalf of the parties.

16. This settlement agreement may be signed in counterparts.

IT IS SO STIPULATED.

Respectfully submitted,

DATED: May 23, 2007 SCOTT N. SCHOOLS

United States Attorney

 /s/ 

CLAIRE T. CORMIER

Assistant United States Attorney

DATED: May 22, 2007 /s/ 

STEPHEN L. COLLIER

Attorney for Petitioner

Case 5:06-cv-02810-JW Document 19 Filed 05/31/07 Page 4 of 5
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

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT RE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. C 06-02810 JW -5-

PROPOSED ORDER

Pursuant to the stipulation of the parties and good cause appearing, IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: _____________________ __________________________________________

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

May 31 2007

Case 5:06-cv-02810-JW Document 19 Filed 05/31/07 Page 5 of 5