Hardesty v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
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STRICKEN - ORDER granting 30 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Magistrate Judge Clifford J. Proud on 12/6/2017. (jmp2) Modified on 12/6/2017 (cjo).
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
DEREK HARDESTY,
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Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
Civil No. 16-cv-00359-CJP
ORDER for ATTORNEY’S FEES
PROUD, Magistrate Judge:
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Approval of Attorneys Fees
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §406(b). (Doc. 30). Defendant filed a response in non-opposition. (Doc.
31).
After this Court reversed and remanded pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. §405(g),
the Commissioner granted plaintiff’s application for benefits.
The fee agreement between
plaintiff and his attorney (Doc. 30, Ex. 2) provided for a fee of 25% of plaintiff’s past-due
benefits. The Commissioner withheld 25% of the past due amount ($19,222.50) pending court
approval of the fee. (Doc. 30, Ex. 1, p. 4). Because counsel received a fee of $6,000.00 for work
at the administrative level, he seeks a fee of $16,222.50. (Doc. 30, pp. 2-3).
42 U.S.C. §406(b)(1)(A) provides that the Court may allow a “reasonable fee,” not in
excess of 25% of the total of the past-due benefits. However, if the Court approves such a fee,
“no other fee may be payable or certified for payment for such representation except as provided
in this paragraph.” Ibid. In practical terms, this means that, when a fee is awarded under
§406(b)(1), counsel must refund any amount previously awarded under the Equal Access to
Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. §2412(d)(1)(B). Counsel represents that he will refund to plaintiff the
EAJA fee ($5,515.59) that was previously awarded.
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The Supreme Court has held that §406(b)(1) controls, but does not displace, contingent
fee agreement in social security cases:
Most plausibly read, we conclude, § 406(b) does not displace contingent-fee agreements
as the primary means by which fees are set for successfully representing Social Security
benefits claimants in court. Rather, § 406(b) calls for court review of such arrangements
as an independent check, to assure that they yield reasonable results in particular cases.
Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 807 (2002).
Having reviewed the circumstances presented here, including the time and effort
expended by counsel, the excellent result received by plaintiff, the amount of the past-due
benefits and the value of the projected benefits over plaintiff’s expected life span, the Court
concludes that $13,222.50 is a reasonable fee here. The Court notes that the Commissioner does
not oppose the motion. While the Commissioner has no direct stake in the §406(b)(1) fee
request, she “plays a part in the fee determination resembling that of a trustee for the claimants.”
Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 798, n. 6.
Wherefore, Plaintiff’s Motion for Approval of Attorneys Fees Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§406(b) (Doc. 30) is GRANTED. The Court awards plaintiff’s counsel Barry A. Schultz a fee
of $13,222.50 (thirteen thousand, two-hundred and twenty-two dollars, and fifty cents).
Counsel shall refund to plaintiff the amount previously awarded under the EAJA,
$5,515.59.00.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: December 6, 2017
s/ Clifford J. Proud
CLIFFORD J. PROUD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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