Hunt v. Social Security Administration

Filing 19

ORDER granting pltf's 16 Motion for Attorney's Fees; pltf is awarded $1,520.37 in attorney's fees and expenses under the EAJA. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jerry W. Cavaneau on 9/29/11. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
MICHAEL HUNT
V.

PLAINTIFF
3:11CV00014 JWC

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
Commissioner, Social
Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Plaintiff has filed a Motion for an Award of Attorney’s Fees and Other Expenses
pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) (doc. 16). The Commissioner has
responded (doc. 18).
Under the EAJA, a prevailing social security claimant is entitled to an award of
reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses unless the Commissioner’s position in denying
benefits was “substantially justified” or special circumstances make an award unjust. 28
U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). A claimant who wins a sentence-four remand order and judgment,
as Plaintiff did in this case (doc. 14, 15), is a prevailing party entitled to EAJA fees. Shalala
v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 302 (1993).
Pursuant to an agreement between Plaintiff’s counsel and the Office of General
Counsel of the Social Security Administration, Plaintiff seeks an EAJA award for 6.6 hours
of work done by his attorneys during 2010 and 2011 at an adjusted hourly rate of $175.00
(doc. 17-1, at 1-2, 11-13). Furthermore, he seeks payment for 4.65 hours of work done by
paralegal assistants at an hourly rate of $75.00, plus expenses in the amount of $16.62,
for a total award of $1,520.37 (id. at 8-9, 11-13). The Commissioner does not oppose the
EAJA request, and has no objection to the hourly rate or number of hours requested.

The Court finds that Plaintiff is entitled to an award of fees and expenses under the
EAJA, and that the amount requested is reasonable.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT Plaintiff’s Motion for an Award of Attorney’s
Fees and Other Expenses under the EAJA (doc. 16) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Plaintiff is awarded $1,520.37 in attorney’s fees
and expenses under the EAJA.
DATED this

29th

day of September , 2011.

____________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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