Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-02524/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-02524-2/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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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

Jerry Smith, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner 

of the Social Security Administration, 

Defendant. 

No. CV-11-02524-PHX-DGC

ORDER 

 On February 27, 2013, the Court issued an order granting Plaintiff’s motion for 

attorneys’ fees in the amount of $7,945.46. Doc. 36. That amount was the original 

amount Plaintiff requested in his motion. Doc. 31. Because the government opposed the 

motion, Plaintiff was required to spend additional time researching and drafting a reply 

brief. Doc. 35. In the reply, Plaintiff’s counsel noted that he had spent an additional 4.4 

hours in preparation and that he now requested the sum of $9,217.26. Doc. 35 at 10. The 

Court overlooked the additional request, and its failure to consider it was manifest error. 

“Fees on fees” are permissible in the Ninth Circuit when the agency position is not 

substantially justified. Atkins v. Apfel, 154 F.3d 986, 988-89 (9th Cir. 1998). The Court 

found in its previous order that the Commissioner’s position was not substantially 

justified and that the requested fees were reasonable. The Court finds that the additional 

time to prepare a reply brief is also reasonable. 

IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration (Doc. 37) is 

granted. The Court’s previous order (Doc. 36) is amended to award Plaintiff attorney’s 

Case 2:11-cv-02524-DGC Document 38 Filed 03/15/13 Page 1 of 2
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fees in the amount of $9,217.26. 

 Dated this 15th day of March, 2013. 

 

Case 2:11-cv-02524-DGC Document 38 Filed 03/15/13 Page 2 of 2