Source: http://wa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180409_0002404.WWA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 15:04:49+00:00

Document:
This matter comes before the court on Plaintiff Eric C. Ruiz's motion for attorney fees and expenses. (Mot. (Dkt. # 16).) Defendant Nancy A, Berryhill ("the Commissioner" or "the Government") opposes Mr. Ruiz's motion. (Resp. (Dkt. # 18).) Having considered the submissions of the parties, the relevant portions of the record, and the applicable law, the court GRANTS Mr. Ruiz's motion. For the reasons stated below, the court awards Mr. Ruiz $10, 980.88 in attorney fees and $12.78 in expenses.
On November 13, 2017, the court adopted the Report and Recommendation of the Honorable Brian A. Tsuchida, United States Magistrate Judge, and reversed and remanded this matter to the Social Security administration for an immediate calculation and award of benefits. (11/13/17 Order (Dkt. # 14).) On February .12, 2018, Mr. Ruiz filed the instant motion, requesting attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.S.C. §§ 2412(a)-(b), 2412(d)(1)(A). (See Mot. at 1-2.) Under § 2412(b), Mr. Ruiz seeks an award of $27, 900.00 based on 55.8 hours of work at a market rate of $500.00 per hour. (Id. at 1.) Alternatively, Mr. Ruiz seeks an award under § 2412(d) of $10, 980.88 based on 55.8 hours of work at the statutory rate of $196.79 per hour. (Id. at 2.) The Commissioner responds that Mr. Ruiz's request should be denied in its entirety because the Government's actions in this case were substantially justified. (See Resp.) The court now addresses the motion.
Alternatively, Mr. Ruiz seeks an award under § 2412(d). To achieve this recovery, Mr. Ruiz must be a prevailing party; however, recovery is barred if the position of the United States was substantially justified. See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). The Government's position must be substantially justified during both the underlying agency action and any subsequent litigation. See Al-Harbi v. IMS., 284 F.3d 1080, 1084-85 (9th Cir. 2002). "Substantial justification" in this context means "justification to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person." Id. at 1084 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 565 (1988)). The Government bears the burden of proving substantial justification in both forums. See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(B).

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