Ferguson v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
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ORDER granting 27 Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Honorable Robin J. Cauthron on 10/11/16. (lg)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
JAMES FERGUSON,
Plaintiff,
vs.
CAROLYN COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.
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Case Number CIV-13-1221-C
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff’s application for disability insurance benefits was denied by the Social
Security Administration. Plaintiff then filed the present action seeking review of the
Agency’s decision. In January 2015, the Court remanded the matter to the Commissioner.
On remand, the Commissioner issued a Notice of Award, awarding Plaintiff back benefits.
Plaintiff’s counsel now seeks an award of attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b).
The contingent fee agreement executed between Plaintiff and his counsel indicated
that if Plaintiff were awarded benefits he would pay counsel a fee not exceeding 25% of the
past due award. Now that the Notice of Benefit has been issued, counsel seeks an award of
attorney fees in accord with that agreement. Plaintiff previously obtained an Order pursuant
to Fed. R. Civ. P. 60, reopening the case so that this motion for attorney fees is considered
timely filed.
In the request for fees, Plaintiff’s counsel seeks a fee of $12,503.20. Governing this
request is 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A), which states:
Whenever a court renders a judgment favorable to a claimant under this
subchapter who was represented before the court by an attorney, the court may
determine and allow as part of its judgment 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 by reason of such judgment . . . .
Where a contingent fee agreement is in place, the Court must examine the reasonableness of
its terms and reduce an award as appropriate “based on the character of the representation
and the results the representative achieved.” Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 808
(2002). In support of the motion, counsel has attached a time report demonstrating that
counsel and staff expended approximately 27.35 hours of time in performing the work on
Plaintiff’s behalf. After considering the extent of work performed, the result obtained, and
the fee award sought, the Court finds the amount to be a reasonable fee for the work
performed. Indeed, the benefits awarded to Plaintiff certainly justify the amount of time
spent by the firm handling the case and the evidence before the Court offers nothing to
suggest that the character of the representation or the results achieved were in any way
deficient. Because Plaintiff’s counsel previously sought and received a fee award pursuant
to EAJA, in the amount of $4,758.90, that award must be refunded to Plaintiff. Accordingly,
Plaintiff’s counsel shall refund $4,758.90 to Plaintiff.
As set forth more fully herein, “Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Fees Under 42 U.S.C.
§406(b)” (Dkt. No. 27) is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s counsel is awarded a fee in the amount of
$12,503.20. Because Plaintiff was previously awarded fees under the EAJA, he is entitled
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to a refund of the smaller EAJA award which Plaintiff’s counsel shall forward immediately
upon receipt of the fees awarded herein.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 11th day of October, 2016.
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