Sawyer v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 23

STIPULATION and ORDER awarding plaintiff attorney fees under EAJA, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $5,600.00. Order signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 6/28/2016. (Rooney, M)

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SHELLIE LOTT, SBN: 246202
Cerney Kreuze & Lott, LLP
42 N. Sutter Street, Suite 400
Stockton, California 95202
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

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Attorney for Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, FRESNO BRANCH

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ELIZABETH M. SAWYER,
Plaintiff,

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vs.

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CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,

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Case No.: 1:14-CV-01124-EPG

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE
AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES
PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO
JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

Defendant

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IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned
counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees under the

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EAJA in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ($5,600.00). This

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amount represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff, to date, by

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counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 2412.

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After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees and expenses to Plaintiff, the government

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will consider the matter of Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees and expenses to Plaintiff's
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attorney. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521 (2010), the ability to honor the
assignment will depend on whether the fees and expenses are subject to any offset allowed under

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO
THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

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the United States Department of the Treasury's Offset Program. After the order for EAJA fees

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and expenses is entered, the government will determine whether they are subject to any offset.

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Fees and expenses shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the Department of the Treasury

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determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the

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payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Shellie Lott, pursuant to the

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assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any payments made shall be delivered to Plaintiff's counsel.

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This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff's request for EAJA
attorney fees and expenses, and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of

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Defendant under the EAJA. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release

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from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff's counsel may have relating to

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EAJA attorney fees and expenses in connection with this action.

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This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff's counsel to seek Social Security

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Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406, subject to the offset provisions of the EAJA.
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Respectfully submitted,

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Dated: June 22, 2016

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER
United States Attorney
DEBORAH L. STACHEL
Acting Regional Chief Counsel

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/s/ Shellie Lott
SHELLIE LOTT
Attorney for Plaintiff

Date: June 22, 2016

/s/Chantal Jenkins
(As authorized via email on 06/22/16)
CHANTAL JENKINS
Special Assistant United States Attorney

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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO
THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)

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ORDER
Pursuant to the above stipulation, Plaintiff shall be awarded attorney fees under the EAJA,
28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS

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($5,600.00). All fees shall be paid pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521 (2010), as
agreed upon by the parties.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Date: June 28, 2016

/s/ Erica P. Grosjean
Erica P. Grosjean
United States Magistrate Judge

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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO
THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)