In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **

AMY N. HEDDENS, * No. 15-734V

* Special Master Christian J. Moran

Petitioner, *

* Filed: November 10, 2016

v. *

* Attorneys’ fees; interim award not

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * appropriate

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

*

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA for 

petitioner; 

Christine Becer, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent;

Kelly D. Burdette, Burkett & Burdette, Seattle, WA, former counsel for petitioner. 

UNPUBLISHED DECISION DENYING

INTERIM ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Represented by Kelly Burdette, Ms. Heddens filed a petition on July 15, 

2016. Less than one year later, on June 10, 2016, Ms. Heddens filed a motion 

requesting an award of attorneys’ fees and costs on an interim basis. The Secretary 

opposed the motion. For reasons explained below, the motion for attorneys’ fees 

and costs is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

In the Vaccine Program, as a matter of law, petitioners may receive awards 

of attorneys’ fees and costs on an interim basis. Avera v. Sec’y of Health & 

Human Servs., 515 F.3d 1343, 1352 (Fed. Cir. 2008). However, not every 

 

1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and 

Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its 

website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing 

redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). 

Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website. 
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petitioner qualifies for an interim award, and special masters are granted discretion 

in determining whether an award on an interim basis is appropriate. Rehn v. Sec’y 

of Health & Human Servs., 126 Fed. Cl. 86, 91 (2016) (citing Cloer v. Sec’y of 

Health & Human Servs., 675 F.3d 1358, 1362 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (en banc), aff’d, 

133 S.Ct. 1886 (2012)); Friedman v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 94 Fed. Cl. 

323, 334 (2010) (special master acted within discretion in denying an award of 

attorneys’ fees and costs on an interim basis). The Federal Circuit identified some 

factors for a special master to consider before awarding attorneys’ fees and costs 

on an interim basis. These include: “protracted proceedings,” “costly experts,” 

and “undue hardship.” Avera, 515 F.3d at 1352. This list is illustrative, not 

exhaustive.

Here, these factors do not balance in favor of an award of attorneys’ fees and 

costs now. The litigation is moving at a typical pace, and Ms. Heddens, while Ms. 

Burdette represented her, did not retain an expert. The best reason for payment of 

fees on an interim basis is that the law firm that originally represented her 

dissolved and a new law firm represents Ms. Heddens. However, an attorney’s 

choices about how to operate a law practice do not, by themselves, constitute 

persuasive reasons for paying fees on an interim basis. For a more extended 

discussion, see Bourche v. Secʼy of Health & Human Servs., No. 15-232V, 2016 

WL 3545769 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. June 3, 2016). 

This decision’s denial of an award of attorney’s fees and costs now does not 

constitute a denial of fees and costs entirely. If the litigation becomes protracted, 

Ms. Heddens may wish to request, again, an award of attorneys’ fees and costs on 

an interim basis. Alternatively, Ms. Heddens may defer a motion for attorneys’ 

fees and costs until the end of the case. 

ACCORDINGLY, the following is ordered: 

1. The May 24, 2016 motion for attorneys’ fees and costs is DENIED 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

2. Consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa–12(d)(4) and Vaccine Rule 18, after 

this decision becomes publically available, the Clerk’s Office is 

instructed to provide a courtesy copy of this decision to Ms. Hedden’s 

former attorney by electronic means. 

3. Other deadlines remain in effect. 
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IT IS SO ORDERED. 

s/ Christian J. Moran

Christian J. Moran

Special Master