Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20191219_0017250.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-01-27 15:18:22
Document Index: 616772945

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 406', 'art, 262', '§ 406', '§ 2412', '§ 406', '§ 406', '§ 406']

FindACase™ | Morgan v. Saul
Morgan v. Saul
JOSEPH B. MORGAN, Plaintiff,
Plaintiff brought this action seeking judicial review of a final administrative decision denying an application for Disability Insurance Benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. By order filed September 11, 2018, plaintiff's motion for summary judgment was granted, the decision of the Commissioner was reversed, and the case was remanded for immediate award of benefits.[2] (ECF No. 19.)
On November 12, 2019, counsel for plaintiff filed a motion for an award of attorney's fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). (ECF No. 24.) Specifically, at the outset of the representation, plaintiff and plaintiff's counsel entered into a contingent-fee agreement. (ECF No. 24-1.) Pursuant to that agreement plaintiff's counsel now seeks attorney's fees in the amount of $14, 287, which represents 17% of the retroactive disability benefits received by plaintiff on remand, for approximately 33.56 hours of attorney time expended on this matter. (ECF No. 24-3 at 1; ECF No. 24-4.) Defendant “has no objection to the total fee request of $14, 287.00[.]” (ECF No. 25 at 2.)
Here, there is no indication that a reduction of fees is warranted due to any substandard performance by counsel. Rather, plaintiff's counsel is an experienced attorney who secured a successful result for plaintiff. There is also no evidence that plaintiff's counsel engaged in any dilatory conduct resulting in excessive delay. The court finds that the $14, 287.00 fee, which represents 17% of the past-due benefits paid to plaintiff, is not excessive in relation to the benefits awarded. In making this determination, the court recognizes the contingent fee nature of this case and counsel's assumption of the risk of going uncompensated in agreeing to represent plaintiff on such terms. See Hearn v. Barnhart, 262 F.Supp.2d 1033, 1037 (N.D. Cal. 2003). Finally, counsel has submitted a detailed billing statement in support of the requested fee. (ECF No. 24-4.)
An award of § 406(b) fees is, however, offset by any prior award of attorney's fees granted under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). 28 U.S.C. § 2412; Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 796. Here, plaintiffs counsel was previously awarded $6, 500 in EAJA fees and the award under § 406(b) must be offset by that amount. (ECF No. 26.)
1. Plaintiffs November 12, 2019 motion for attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), (ECF No. 24), is granted;
2. Counsel for plaintiff is awarded $14, 287.00 in attorney fees under § 406(b). The Commissioner is directed to pay the fee forthwith and remit to ...