Sanders v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 23

ORDER granting 20 plaintiff's Motion for Attorney's Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (as more fully set out). Signed by Honorable Vicki Miles-LaGrange on 6/12/2017. (ks)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
MWANA SANDERS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY BERRYHILL,
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF
SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.

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Case No. CIV-15-1342-M

ORDER
On March 30, 2017, United States District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange entered an Order
and Judgment in this case reversing the decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security
and remanding this case for further administrative proceedings. Based on same, on April 13, 2017,
counsel for plaintiff filed a Motion for Attorney’s Fees Under the Equal Access to Justice Act,
requesting an award of fees in the amount of $7,558.65. On April 27, 2017, defendant filed her
response.
Under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), the prevailing party in an action brought
by or against the United States is entitled to fees, other expenses, and costs “unless the court finds
that the position of the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make
an award unjust.” 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). It is the government’s burden to show that its
position was substantially justified. Hadden v. Bowen, 851 F.2d 1266, 1267 (10th Cir. 1988). “To
do so, the government must prove that its case had a reasonable basis in law and in fact.” Id.
Further, the United States Supreme Court has defined “substantially justified” as “‘justified in
substance or in the main’ – that is, justified to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person.”
Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 565 (1988).

In determining whether the government’s position was reasonable,
the trial judge must make a separate review of the government’s
position to determine whether it was substantially justified. The
term “position” includes the government’s position both in the
underlying agency action and during any subsequent litigation. The
government’s success or failure on the merits at each level may be
evidence of whether its position was substantially justified, but that
success or failure alone is not determinative of the issue.
Hadden, 851 F.2d. at 1267 (internal citations omitted). The Tenth Circuit has held that the
government’s position can be substantially justified even though it is not correct. See Madron v.
Astrue, 646 F.3d 1255, 1257 (10th Cir. 2011).
In her response, defendant asserts that the government’s position was substantially
justified.

Specifically, defendant contends that she relied upon an arguably defensible

administrative record and that the government’s position is reasonable in law and fact. Having
carefully reviewed the parties’ submissions and the case file, the Court finds that defendant has
not satisfied her burden of showing that the government’s position was substantially justified.
Accordingly, because defendant has failed to show that her position was substantially justified, the
Court finds that plaintiff is entitled to attorney fees under the EAJA.
Defendant also asserts that the number of hours for which plaintiff has requested attorney’s
fees is unreasonable given the average-length record and the standard arguments plaintiff
presented. Having carefully reviewed the parties’ submissions and the case file, the Court finds
that the amount of attorney’s fees requested by plaintiff is reasonable.
The Court, therefore, GRANTS plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees under the Equal
Access to Justice Act [docket no. 20] and AWARDS plaintiff EAJA fees in the amount of
$7,558.65, to be paid directly to plaintiff. If attorney’s fees are also awarded under 42 U.S.C. §
406(b) of the Social Security Act, plaintiff’s counsel shall refund the smaller award to plaintiff

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pursuant to Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10th Cir. 1986).
IT IS SO ORDERED this 12th day of June, 2017.

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