Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00968/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00968-2/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

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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR AWARD AND PAYMENT 

OF ATTORNEYS FEES PURSUANT TO EAJA

Melissa Newel (CA SB# 148563)

NEWEL LAW

2625 Alcatraz Ave., Suite 132

Berkeley, CA 94705

(510) 316-3827

mnewel@newellawfirm.com

Attorney for Plaintiff

POR THAO

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

MATHEW W. PILE (WS SB# 32245)

Associate General Counsel

Office of Program Litigation, Office 7

Social Security Administration

JUSTIN L. MARTIN (MO SB# 62255)

Special Assistant United States Attorney

6401 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21235

(206) 615-3735

Justin.L.Martin@ssa.gov

Attorneys for Defendant

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

POR THAO,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF 

SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

No. 1:24-cv-00968 (SKO)

ORDER RE STIPULATION AND 

UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR AWARD 

AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEYS FEES 

PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO 

JUSTICE ACT (28 U.S.C. §2412(d))

(Doc. 15)

Case 1:24-cv-00968-SKO Document 16 Filed 11/25/24 Page 1 of 3
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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR AWARD AND PAYMENT 

OF ATTORNEYS FEES PURSUANT TO EAJA

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

attorneys, subject to the approval of the Court, that Por Thao (“Plaintiff”) be awarded attorney 

fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. §2412 (d), in the amount of six

hundred and eleven dollars and fifty-five cents ($611.55). 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. §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 

attorney 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 subject to offset, then the government shall cause the 

payment of fees approved to be made payable to Melissa Newel or Newel Law (collectively 

“Plaintiff’s counsel”), pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any and all payments 

made shall be delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel, by check or by electronic transfer.

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 Plaintiff’s counsel may have relating to EAJA attorney fees 

and expenses in connection with this action. 

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Case 1:24-cv-00968-SKO Document 16 Filed 11/25/24 Page 2 of 3
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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR AWARD AND PAYMENT 

OF ATTORNEYS FEES PURSUANT TO EAJA

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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,

Dated: November 22, 2024 NEWEL LAW

By: Melissa Newel

Melissa Newel 

Attorney for Plaintiff

POR THAO

Dated: November 22, 2024 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

MATHEW W. PILE

Associate General Counsel

Social Security Administration

By: Justin L. Martin*

JUSTIN L. MARTIN

(*Authorized by email dated 11/22/2024)

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney

Attorneys for Defendant

ORDER

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. 

§2412(d), attorney fees in the amount of six hundred and eleven dollars and fifty-five cents 

($611.55) be awarded subject to the terms of the Stipulation and Unopposed Motion (Doc. 15).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 25, 2024 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-00968-SKO Document 16 Filed 11/25/24 Page 3 of 3