Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-02610/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-02610-3/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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28 This disposition is not designated for publication and may not be cited. 1

Case No. CV 05-02610

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR FEES

(JFEX1)

**E-Filed 11/14/2007**

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

KELLY COX,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

JO ANNE B. BARNHART,

Commissioner of Social Security,

 Defendant.

Case Number CV 05-02610

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 1

MOTION FOR AUTHORIZATION OF

ATTORNEY’S FEES PURSUANT TO

42 U.S.C. 406(b), SUBJECT TO EAJA

OFFSETTING 

[re: docket no. 15]

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiff’s attorney, Terry LaPorte, seeks attorney’s fees of $3,269.00, pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 406(b). For the reasons stated below, the motion will be granted.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Section 406(b) of the Social Security Act provides, in relevant part, that “whenever a

court renders a judgment favorable to a claimant . . . who was represented before the court by an

Case 5:05-cv-02610-JF Document 19 Filed 11/14/07 Page 1 of 4
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“Past-due benefits” are the total amount of benefits payable under title II of the Act that 2

has accumulated because of a favorable administrative or judicial determination or decision, up

to, but not including, the month the determination or decision is made. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1703.

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Case No. CV 05-02610

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR FEES

(JFEX1)

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.” 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A). The attorney’s fees

are payable from funds withheld from a claimant’s past-due benefits by the Social Security 2

Administration for work performed by claimant’s counsel on a claim for Title II benefits under

the Social Security Act.

In Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, the United States Supreme Court held that a district court must

review a petition for § 406(b) fees “as an independent check” to assure that contingency fee

agreements between Social Security claimants and their attorneys will “yield reasonable results in

particular cases.” Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 807. Accordingly, the attorney for the

claimant “must show that the fee sought is reasonable for the services rendered.” Id. In making

its determination, the district court should consider the character of representation and results

achieved. Id. at 808. An award of § 406(b) fees is offset by any award of attorney’s fees granted

under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Id. at 796.

III. DISCUSSION

Plaintiff’s attorney, Terry LaPorte, seeks § 406(b) fees of $3,269.00. This amount is in

addition to the $5,300.00 allowed by the Administrative Law Judge who approved the fee

agreement between Plaintiff and Mr. LaPorte. Together, these amounts constitute $8,569.25,

which represents the full 25% of the past due Social Security disability benefits paid on

plaintiff’s account. EAJA fees of $2,450.00 previously were awarded on December 13, 2005.

Accordingly, Mr. LaPorte is entitled to a fee award of $3,269.00, reduced by the amount of

EAJA fees previously awarded. Accordingly, the net fee to be paid to Plaintiff’s counsel is

$819.00.

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Case No. CV 05-02610

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR FEES

(JFEX1)

IV. ORDER

Good cause therefor appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion for 

authorization of attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) is GRANTED. The additional

sum of $819.00 is to be paid to counsel for Plaintiff.

DATED: November 14, 2007

 

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

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Case No. CV 05-02610

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR FEES

(JFEX1)

This Order has been served upon the following persons:

Terry LaPorte

terry@terrylaporte.com

Sara Winslow

sara.winslow@usdoj.gov

Shea Lita Bond

Shea.bond@ssa.gov

Case 5:05-cv-02610-JF Document 19 Filed 11/14/07 Page 4 of 4