Benson v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

Filing 30

ORDER: Plaintiff's motion 24 is granted, as amended by Plaintiff's reply brief. Signed on 3/17/2017 by Judge Marco A. Hernandez. (jp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON

ALEXANDRA IRENE BENSON,
Plaintiff,

No. 3:11-cv-00537-HZ

v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,

ORDER

Defendant.

HERNANDEZ, District Judge:
Plaintiff Alexandra Benson brought this action seeking review of the Commissioner's
final decision to deny her disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. In a
June 18, 2012, Opinion & Order, this Court reversed the Commissioner's decision and remanded
the case for further proceedings. Judgment was entered the same day. The additional proceedings
resulted in payment of benefits. Pl.’s Mot. Ex. A, ECF 24-1.

1 - ORDER

Plaintiff now seeks an award of fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). Defendant objects
to Plaintiff’s calculation of the appropriate fee award and Plaintiff amends her Petition for
Attorney’s Fees in accordance with Defendant’s revised calculation. The Court has reviewed the
record in the case, the motion, and the supporting materials including the award of benefits, the
fee agreement with counsel, and the recitation of counsel's hours and services. Applying the
standards set by Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 796 (2002), the Court finds the requested
fees reasonable.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiff’s motion [24] is granted, as amended by Plaintiff’s reply brief. The Court awards
Plaintiff’s counsel $14,481.25 in attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). Previously, Plaintiff’s
counsel received $5,422.11 in fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. §
2412. When issuing the section 406(b) check for payment to Plaintiff’s attorney, the
Commissioner is directed to subtract the amount previously awarded under EAJA and send
Plaintiff’s attorney the balance of $9,059.14, less any applicable processing fees as allowed by
statute.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated this __________________ day of __________________________ , 2017.

__________________________________________
MARCO A. HERNÁNDEZ
United States District Judge

2 - ORDER