Upchurch v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 26

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER, granting 23 MOTION for Attorney Fees filed by Noble R. Upchurch. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 9/6/2017. (jdh)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
NOBLE R. UPCHURCH,
Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Civil No. 16-cv-1272-JPG-CJP

ORDER for ATTORNEY’S FEES
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Fees under the Equal
Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”) (Doc. 23). Defendant has no objection (Doc. 25).
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A), the Court shall award attorney’s fees and
expenses to a prevailing party in a civil action against the United States, including proceedings
for judicial review of agency action, unless the government’s position was substantially justified.
The hourly rate for attorney’s fees is not to exceed $125.00 per hour “unless the court determines
that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor, such as the limited availability of
qualified attorneys for the proceedings involved, justifies a higher fee.” § 2412(d)(2)(A).
This case was remanded to the Commissioner for further proceedings pursuant to
sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Plaintiff is, therefore, the prevailing party. See Shalala v.
Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 302 (1993).
Plaintiff seeks attorney’s fees in the amount of $5,280.35, plus $400.00 for costs.
In the absence of an objection from the Commissioner, the Court finds that plaintiff is
entitled to an award of attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to the EAJA and that the hourly rate
and number of hours claimed are reasonable.
Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees (Doc. 23) is hereby GRANTED. The Court

awards plaintiff Noble R. Upchurch attorney’s fees in the amount of $5,280.35 (five thousand,
two hundred and eighty dollars and thirty-five cents), plus $400.00 (four hundred dollars) for
costs.
The amount awarded is payable to plaintiff and is subject to set-off for any debt owed by
plaintiff to the United States, per Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010). However, 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 executed by
plaintiff (Doc. 23, Ex. 6).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: September 6, 2017
s/ J. Phil Gilbert
J. PHIL GILBERT
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

2