Source: https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/florida/flmdce/2:2016cv00527/325760/29
Timestamp: 2018-02-25 21:58:34
Document Index: 599217015

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2412', 'Case No: 2', '§ 2412', '§ 405', '§2412', '§ 2412', '§ 2412']

ORDER granting 28 Plaintiff's Unopposed Application for Attorney Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act for Collier v. Commissioner of Social Security :: Justia Dockets & Filings
Justia Dockets & Filings Eleventh Circuit Florida Florida Middle District Court Collier v. Commissioner of Social Security Filing 29
ORDER granting 28 Plaintiff's Unopposed Application for Attorney Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment for Plaintiff as to attorney's fees in the amount of $5,592.06 under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d).Signed by Magistrate Judge Carol Mirando on 11/8/2017. (HJ)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION JAY KEVIN COLLIER, Plaintiff, v. Case No: 2:16-cv-527-FtM-CM COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant. ORDER This matter comes before the Court upon review of Plaintiff’s Unopposed Application for Attorney Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”) (Doc. 28) filed on November 7, 2017. Plaintiff moves pursuant to the EAJA for an award of attorney’s fees in the amount of $5,592.06. Doc. 28 at 1. Plaintiff attaches an itemization of time confirming a total of 11.10 hours expended at the hourly rate of $190.35 in 2016 and 17.75 hours expended at the hourly rate of $196.01 in 2017. Id. at 8-9. Id. Plaintiff states the Commissioner does not oppose the requested relief. at 2. For the reasons stated herein, the Motion is due to be granted. Under the EAJA, a claimant is eligible for an attorney fee award where: (1) the claimant is a prevailing party in a non-tort suit involving the United States; (2) the Government’s position was not substantially justified; (3) the claimant filed a timely application for attorney’s fees; (4) the claimant had a net worth of less than $2 million at the time the complaint was filed; and (5) there are no special circumstances which would make the award of fees unjust. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). On September 7, 2017, this Court entered an Order reversing and remanding this case to the Commissioner for further proceedings pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Doc. 26. Judgment was entered on September 13, 2017. Doc. 27. Plaintiff asserts the Commissioner’s position in the underlying action was not substantially justified, and his net worth at the time this proceeding was filed was less than two million dollars. Doc. 28 at 1. The Commissioner does not contest that Plaintiff meets the requirements under the EAJA, and the Court finds that all conditions have been met. EAJA fees are “based upon prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished,” not to exceed $125.00 per hour unless the Court determines that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor justifies a higher fee. §2412(d)(2)(A). process. 28 U.S.C. Determination of the appropriate hourly rate is thus a two-step The Court first determines the prevailing market rate; then, if the prevailing rate exceeds $125.00, the Court determines whether to adjust the hourly rate. Meyer v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 1029, 1033-34 (11th Cir. 1992). The prevailing market rates must be determined according to rates customarily charged for similarly complex litigation, and are not limited to rates specifically for social security cases. Watford v. Heckler, 765 F.2d 1562, 1568 (11th Cir. 1985). Plaintiff’s counsel is requesting adjusted hourly rates that are authorized by applying the cost-of-living adjustment to the $125.00 ceiling for work he performed in 2016 and 2017. Doc. 28 at 4-6. Because the Commissioner does not object to the adjusted hourly rates sought and they are within the rates permitted by the EAJA, -2- the Court finds $190.35 per hour for 2016 and $196.01 per hour for 2017 are appropriate and reasonable hourly rates. Plaintiff’s counsel also has submitted a schedule of hours that include an itemization of legal services performed. 8-9. Doc. 28 at After reviewing the description of the services provided, the Court also concludes that the time is reasonable and properly compensable. ACCORDINGLY, it is hereby ORDERED: 1. Plaintiff’s Unopposed Application for Attorney Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (Doc. 28) is GRANTED. Attorney’s fees in the total amount of $5,592.06 shall be awarded to Plaintiff pursuant to the EAJA, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). If the United States Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, the Government will accept Plaintiff’s assignment of EAJA fees and pay fees directly to Plaintiff’s counsel. 2. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment for Plaintiff as to attorney’s fees in the amount of $5,592.06 under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on this 8th day of November, 2017. Copies: Counsel of record -3-