Hajomar v. Social Security Administration

Filing 21

ORDER granting 19 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Judge James I. Cohn on 10/8/2009. (prd)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO. 08-62032-CIV-COHN MOSTAPHA HAJOMAR, Magistrate Judge Seltzer Plaintiff, vs. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. _________________________________/ ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon Plaintiff's Application for Attorney'`s Fees [DE 19] and Defendant's Response thereto [DE 20]. The Court has carefully considered the motion and is otherwise fully advised in the premises. Plaintiff's counsel seeks $4,667.02 in attorney's fees and $350.00 in costs (filing fee) pursuant to the Equal Access for Justice Act. Plaintiff included an assignment of fees from the Plaintiff to counsel. The Commissioner in this case agreed to remand the case for further proceedings, making Plaintiff the prevailing party. Defendant does not oppose the amount of fees or costs, nor payment of the EAJA fees directly to counsel, but does reserve the right to offset any debts owed by Plaintiff to the United States. Plaintiff did not file a reply by today's date.1 Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows: 1. 2. Plaintiff's Petition for Attorney's Fees [DE 19] is hereby GRANTED; The Court shall separately enter judgment for Plaintiff's counsel in the amount of

The ability of the United States to offset any debts owed by Plaintiff against an attorney fees award is an issue presently before the United States Supreme Court upon certiorari granted September 30, 2009. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 540 F.3d 800 (8th Cir. 2008), cert. granted, (Supreme Court Docket No. 08-1322).

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$5,017.02 in attorney's fees and costs; 3. The Court takes no position at this time as to whether the funds are subject to any Treasury offset, as the issue is not ripe before the undersigned. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, this 8th day of October, 2009.

copies to: counsel of record

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