Morens v. Social Security Administration

Filing 21

ORDER granting 18 Plaintiff's Motion for Award of Attorney Fees; approving attorney fees in the amount of $1,458.10; awarding $16.62 to Plaintiff in costs; directing the award of EAJA fees and costs be paid directly to Plaintiff's counsel subject to any offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt owed to the U.S.; and directing Defendant to certify the award of 1,474.72 and pay Plaintiff's attorney this amount. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe on 5/7/2012. (srw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
TIFFANY MORENS,
Plaintiff,
v.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration
Defendant.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

No. 3:10-cv-00322-JJV

ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff’s Motion for an Award of Attorney’s Fees pursuant to the Equal
Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412. The Commissioner responded and offered no
objection to the fees requested. However, the Commissioner objects to the requested $16.62 for
costs. After careful consideration of the Motion and Response, the Court finds:
1.

The hours spent by counsel were reasonable. Therefore, the Court approves attorney

fees in the amount of $1,458.10 (.85 attorney hours at $175, 5.10 hours at $181, and 5.15 paralegal
hours at $75.00). Plaintiff identified the $16.62 cost as “3 CRRR: service of summons/complaint.”
(Doc. No. 19-1, p. 13). The docket sheet reflects that Plaintiff was allowed to proceed without
paying the filing fee, but that Plaintiff bore the cost of mailing the Complaint and summons via
certified mail, return receipt requested (CRRR). Therefore, Plaintiff is awarded $16.62 in costs.
2.

The award of EAJA fees and costs shall be paid directly to Plaintiff’s counsel subject

to any offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt owed to the United States. Astrue v. Ratliff, --- U.S.
----, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 2527, 2010 WL 2346547 (2010).
3.

Defendant shall certify the award of $1,474.72 and pay Plaintiff’s attorney this

amount.

1

IT IS SO ORDERED this 7th day of May, 2012.

__ ________________________________
JOE J. VOLPE
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2