Nunn v. Astrue
Filing
28
ORDER - The Plaintiff's motion for attorney fees (Filing No. 24 ) is granted. Attorney fees in the amount of $1,281.98 are payable to the Plaintiff. The Defendant will submit a check made payable to the Plaintiff in the amount of $1,281.98, less any debt owed by the Plaintiff to the United States offset against such fees, to Plaintiff's counsel of record. Ordered by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp. (GJG)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
VIRGINIA G. NUNN,
CASE NO. 4:11CV3051
Plaintiff,
ORDER
vs.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of
Social Security;
Defendant.
This matter is before the Court on the Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees (Filing
No. 24). The request is made under the Equal Access to Justice Act (AEAJA@), 28
U.S.C. ' 2412. The Defendant responded, stating that he does not object to the dollar
amount. However, the Defendant notes the procedure described in Astrue v. Ratliff,
130 S. Ct. 2521 (2010) (holding that an EAJA fee award is payable to the litigant and
therefore subject to a government offset to satisfy a pre-existing debt owed to the
federal government). See Stephens v. Astrue, No. 4:09CV04027, 2010 WL 3522434, at
**2-3 (W.D. Ark. Sept. 2, 2010) (awarding EAJA fees directly to the plaintiff, noting that,
however, if the plaintiff executed an assignment to counsel of all rights in an attorney
fee award and if the plaintiff owed no outstanding debt to the federal government the fee
should be awarded to counsel). Once the Court awards the EAJA fee to the Plaintiff,
the Assistant United States Attorney shall verify whether the Plaintiff owes a debt to the
United States that is subject to offset. Assuming no debt is owed, the fee will be made
payable to Plaintiff and sent to the address of her counsel.
The Court will grant the motion, and the fee will be awarded to the Plaintiff under
the procedure followed in Ratliff and its progeny.
IT IS ORDERED:
1.
The Plaintiff's motion for attorney fees (Filing No. 24) is granted;
2.
Attorney fees in the amount of $1,281.98 are payable to the Plaintiff; and
3.
The Defendant will submit a check made payable to the Plaintiff in the
amount of $1,281.98, less any debt owed by the Plaintiff to the United
States offset against such fees, to Plaintiff=s counsel of record.
Dated this 14th day of February, 2013.
BY THE COURT:
s/Laurie Smith Camp
Chief United States District Judge
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?