Source: http://tn.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20140922_0001088.ETN.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-08 11:58:00
Document Index: 522511715

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 636', '§ 2412', '§ 2412', '§ 405', '§ 2412', '§ 2412']

BRENDA A. STOUT, Plaintiff,v.CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
This case is before the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, for a report and recommendation regarding disposition of Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees Under Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). [Doc. 20]. The Plaintiff requests the Court enter an Order awarding attorney fees in the amount of $2, 947.90 under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2412 (d)(1).
On March 18, 2014, United States District Judge Collier entered an Order granting the Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). [Doc. 19]. The District Court denied the Commissioner's Motion for Summary Judgment and remanded this case to the Administrative Law Judge. [Doc. 19].
See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1).
In this case, Plaintiff obtained a "sentence four" remand, which, for purposes of EAJA fees, renders her a "prevailing party." See Melkonyan v. Sullivan , 501 U.S. 89, 97 (1991).
To satisfy the "substantial justification" requirement the Commissioner's position must be justified, "both in fact and in law, to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person." Jankovich v. Bowen , 868 F.2d 867, 869 (6th Cir. 1989). In this case, the Commissioner has failed to respond to Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney's Fees, filed on April 17, 2014. [See Doc. 20]. Pursuant to Local Rules 7.1 and 7.2, the Court finds that the Defendant has waived any opposition to Plaintiff's Motion, [Doc. 20], and has thereby conceded that the Commissioner's position in this matter was not substantially justified.
On April 17, 2014, Plaintiff moved for a total fee amount of $2, 947.90.[1] [Doc. 20]. This motion included a proper application for fees and was filed within 30 days of the final judgment in this matter.
Further, the Commissioner has waived any opposition to Plaintiff's request for attorney fees by failing to respond in a timely manner and has therefore acquiesced to Plaintiff's request for $2, 947.90 in attorney fees.
Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that the Plaintiff's motion is well-taken. It is hereby RECOMMENDED[2] that Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees Under Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), [Doc. 20], be GRANTED, and a judgment awarding Plaintiff the amount of $2, 947.90 for attorney fees be entered.