Vanner v. Social Security, Commissioner of

Filing 47

ORDER granting plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees 41 Signed by District Judge George Caram Steeh. (MBea)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

PATRICIA VANNER,
Plaintiff,
Case No. 09-CV-12082
HON. GEORGE CARAM STEEH

v.
COMMISSIONER OF
SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.
_____________________________/

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S APPLICATION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES (#41)
Plaintiff filed this case seeking review of the decision denying her application for
social security disability benefits.

This court denied the Commissioner’s motion for

summary judgment and remanded the case to the Commissioner for further proceedings.
Plaintiff subsequently prevailed. The preliminary Notice of Award shows that the ALJ
awarded her $116,610.40 in past-due benefits. Plaintiff’s counsel filed an application for
attorneys’ fees seeking $29,152.60 (25% of the award) pursuant to § 206(b)(1) of the
Social Security Act. Plaintiff’s counsel subsequently filed the final Notice of Award with this
court. The final Notice of Award shows that the ALJ awarded plaintiff $122,610.40 in pastdue benefits and shows that 25% of that amount would result in $30,652.60 for attorney’s
fees. However, plaintiff’s counsel continues to seek only the $29,152.60 initially requested.
Plaintiff argues this amount is reasonable because of the contingent nature of
representation, the express contract between plaintiff and her attorney, and the absence
of any reason why the attorney fee award would be unjust. Plaintiff’s counsel represents
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that it will return the EAJA fee of $8,130.50 to plaintiff when it receives the $29,152.60.
Section 206(b)(1) of the Act provides that, whenever a court renders a judgment
favorable to a claimant who was represented before it, the court may allow “a reasonable
fee for such representation, not in excess of 25 percent of the total of the past-due benefits
to which the claimant is entitled...” 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1). In Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535
U.S. 789, 808 (2002), the Supreme Court noted that Ҥ 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.” The Supreme Court explained
§ 406 instead provides for a review of the attorney’s fees to ensure they are reasonable.
Id. The decision whether to award attorney’s fees under Section 206(b)(1) is committed
to the sound discretion of the district court, and the decision awarding or denying fees is
reviewed on appeal under the deferential abuse of discretion standard. See Damron v.
Commissioner, 104 F.3d 853, 856 (6th Cir. 1997).
Defendant argues a fee award of $29,152.60 is unreasonable and would result in
a windfall to plaintiff’s attorney in light of the time and effort expended by the lawyer. This
court is familiar with this case and with the work performed by plaintiff’s counsel. After
reviewing the parties’ submissions and decisions in similar cases, the court finds the fee
requested is reasonable. Accordingly, plaintiff’s application for attorneys’ fees (#41) is
GRANTED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: March 14, 2013
s/George Caram Steeh
GEORGE CARAM STEEH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Copies of this Order were served upon attorneys of record by
electronic and/or ordinary mail.
s/Marcia Beauchemin
Deputy Clerk

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