Opinion ID: 3039874
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Ruiz Seeks Counsel Fees

Text: On December 1, 2004, Ruiz sought prevailing party attorney’s fees and costs totaling $7,490.61 “for legal work performed in the Federal Courts” in connection with his first benefits application. On June 27, 2005, the District Court denied Ruiz’s motion, ruling that he was not a prevailing party under the EAJA. Ruiz appealed to this Court. On June 27, 2006, we reversed -- holding that Ruiz was a prevailing party -- and remanded for a determination of whether the SSA’s litigation position was substantially justified or whether special circumstances would make an award of fees unjust. Ruiz, 189 Fed. Appx. at 113. On August 2, 2006, the District Court determined that although no special circumstances existed, the Agency’s litigation position was substantially justified. Accordingly, the District Court denied Ruiz’s application for counsel fees. Ruiz filed a timely appeal with this Court.