Ashufta v. Astrue

Filing 17

ORDER by Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong Granting 16 Stipulation AWARDING ATTORNEY FEES UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT,28 U.S.C. §2412(d). (ndr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/12/2014)

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TONY ARJO, SBN 151890
1440 Broadway, Suite 1019
Oakland, CA 94612
[phone]
FAX: [phone]

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Attorney for Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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OAKLAND DIVISION

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WAJIHA ASHUFTA,

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Plaintiff
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vs.
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CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
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Acting Commissioner of
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Social Security,
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Defendant
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______________________________)

CIVIL NO. 12-4076 SBA

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER
AWARDING ATTORNEY FEES UNDER
THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT,
28 U.S.C. §2412(d)

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IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned

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counsel, subject to approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees under the

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Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of THREE

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THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($3347.00), and costs

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in the amount of THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($350.00). This amount

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represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff by counsel in

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connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§1920, 2412(d).

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After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Plaintiff, the government will consider

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the matter of Plaintiff’s assignment of EAJA fees and costs to Plaintiff’s attorney. The retainer

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agreement containing the assignment is attached. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521,

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2529 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on whether the fees are subject to

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any offset allowed under the United States Department of the Treasury’s Offset Program. After

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the order for EAJA fees is entered, the government will determine whether they are subject to

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any offset.

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Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, Wajiha Ashufta, but if the Department of the

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Treasury determines that Wajiha Ashufta does not owe a federal debt, then the government

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shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Plaintiff’s attorney,

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Tony Arjo, pursuant to the assignment executed by Wajiha Ashufta.

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This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff’s request for EAJA

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attorney fees and expenses and costs, and does not constitute an admission of liability on part

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of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a

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complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims and/or Plaintiff’s attorney may have

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relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

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This award is without prejudice to the rights of Tony Arjo to seek Social Security Act
attorney fees under 42 U.S.C §406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

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Respectfully submitted,

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DATE: May 20, 2014

By:
/s/ Tony Arjo
TONY ARJO
Attorney for Plaintiff

DATE: May 20, 2014

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MELINDA L. HAAG
United States Attorney
/s/ Patrick William Snyder*
(*by email authorization on 5/19/14)
PATRICK WILLIAM SNYDER
Special Assistant United States Attorney
Attorneys for Defendant

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ORDER

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By:

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APPROVED AND SO ORDERED.

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DATED: 6/11/2014
6/12/2014

________________________________
SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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EAJA Stipulation, 12-cv-4076 SBA

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