Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-00750/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-00750-5/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
Craig Mathews
Plaintiff

Document Text:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

MATHEW W. PILE

Associate General Counsel

Office of Program Litigation, Office 7

MARGARET BRANICK-ABILLA (CABN 223600)

Special Assistant United States Attorney

Office of Program Litigation, Office 7

Office of the General Counsel

Social Security Administration

6401 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21235

Telephone: (510) 970-4809

Email: Margaret.Branick-Abilla@ssa.gov

Attorneys for Defendant

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CRAIG MATHEWS,

Plaintiff,

vs.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Civil No. 2:24-cv-00750-CKD

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE 

AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY 

FEES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS 

TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

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

counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees in the 

amount of EIGHT THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS 

($8,100.00) under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). This amount 

represents compensation for all 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 counsel Jared Walker (Counsel). Pursuant 

to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on 

Case 2:24-cv-00750-CKD Document 25 Filed 01/14/25 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

whether the 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, then the government shall cause the payment of fees to 

be made directly to Counsel, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any payments 

made shall be delivered to 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 the 

EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and 

bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Counsel, including Counsel’s law firm and any 

associates, may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action. 

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Counsel to seek Social Security Act 

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: January 10, 2025 LAW OFFICE OF JARED T. WALKER, PC

By:/s/ Jared Walker*

JARED WALKER

Attorney for Plaintiff

[*As authorized by e-mail on Jan. 10, 2025] 

Dated: January 14, 2025 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

MATHEW W. PILE

Associate General Counsel

Office of Program Litigation, Office 7

By: /s/ Margaret Branick-Abilla

MARGARET BRANICK-ABILLA

Special Assistant United States Attorney

Attorneys for Defendant

Case 2:24-cv-00750-CKD Document 25 Filed 01/14/25 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

ORDER

Pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, plaintiff’s motion for attorney fees (ECF No. 22) is DENIED 

AS MOOT and the stipulation (ECF No. 24) is GRANTED. IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 14, 2025

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:24-cv-00750-CKD Document 25 Filed 01/14/25 Page 3 of 3