Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20191204_0016529.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-01-27 14:45:51
Document Index: 634982893

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

FindACase™ | Ros v. Saul
Ros v. Saul
SARETH ROS, Plaintiff,
Plaintiff brought this action seeking judicial review of a final administrative decision denying an application for Supplemental Security Income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. By order filed March 7, 2017, plaintiff's motion for summary judgment was granted, the decision of the Commissioner was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings.[2] (ECF No. 22.)
On August 9, 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, plaintiff and plaintiff's counsel entered into a contingent-fee agreement. (ECF No. 24-3 at 1.) Pursuant to that agreement plaintiff's counsel now seeks attorney's fees in the amount of $11, 625.54, which represents 18% of the retroactive disability benefits received by plaintiff on remand, for approximately 24.9 hours of attorney time expended on this matter. (ECF No. 24 at 1; ECF No. 24-4 at 2.) Defendant filed “an analysis of the fee request” but “takes no position on the reasonableness of the request.” (ECF No. 26 at 5.)
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 $11, 625.54 fee, which represents 18% 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 at 2.)
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 $4, 601.45 in EAJA fees and the award under § 406(b) must be offset by that amount. (ECF No. 23.)
1. Plaintiffs August 9, 2019 motion for attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), (ECF No. 24), is granted;
2. Counsel for plaintiff is awarded $11, 625.54 in attorney fees under § 406(b). The Commissioner is directed to pay the fee forthwith and remit to plaintiff the ...