Huffstutler v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 36

ORDER granting 35 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Magistrate Judge Clifford J. Proud on 2/3/2017. (klm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
BILLY D. HUFFSTUTLER,

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Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Defendant. 1

Civil No.

16-cv-498-CJP

ORDER for ATTORNEY’S FEES
PROUD, Magistrate Judge:
Before the Court is the parties’ Joint Motion to Award Attorney Fees Under
the Equal Access to Justice Act. (Doc. 35).
The parties have agreed that plaintiff is entitled to an award in the amount of
$7,700.00, and with no additional amount for costs and expenses.
The Court finds that plaintiff is the prevailing party and is entitled to an
award of attorney’s fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C.
§2412(d)(1)(B). The Court further finds that the agreed upon amount is reasonable
and appropriate.
The parties’ Joint Motion (Doc. 35) is GRANTED.

The Court awards

plaintiff Billy Huffstutler the sum of $7,700.00 for attorney’s fees pursuant to the
Equal Access to Justice Act. These funds shall be payable to plaintiff, per Astrue v.
Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521 (2010). However, in accordance with the parties’ agreement,
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Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. See, Casey v. Berryhill, __ F3d. __, 2017
WL 398309 (7th Cir. Jan. 30, 2017). She is automatically substituted as defendant in this case. See Fed. R. Civ. P.
25(d); 42 U.S.C. §405(g).

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any part of the award that is not subject to set-off to pay plaintiff’s pre-existing debt
to the United States shall be made payable to plaintiff’s attorney pursuant to the
EAJA assignment previously executed by plaintiff and his attorney.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATE:

February 3, 2017.

s/ Clifford J. Proud
CLIFFORD J. PROUD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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