Rutledge v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Filing 38

ORDER granting 35 Motion for Attorney Fees per Rule 406b, awarding Plaintiff attorney's fees in the amount of Six Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Four Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($6,154.75). Signed by Honorable Henry M Herlong, Jr on 11/05/2012.(bshr, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AIKEN DIVISION

Shelia T. Rutledge,

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Plaintiff,
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vs.
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Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social )
Security Administration,
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Defendant.
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C.A. No. 1:10-1322-HMH

OPINION & ORDER

This matter is before the court on a motion for attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 406(b). The Plaintiff seeks attorney’s fees in the above-captioned social security action in the
amount of Six Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Four Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($6,154.75).
See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(a). The Commissioner does not object to the request for attorney’s fees.
Based upon a review of the petition and the factors to be considered in awarding
attorney’s fees in a social security case,1 the court finds that an award of $6,154.75 is reasonable.
See Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 807 (2002) (“[Section] 406(b) calls for court review of
[contingency fee] agreements as an independent check, to assure that they yield reasonable
results in particular cases.”). Pursuant to a contingency fee agreement, the Plaintiff agreed to
pay counsel 25 percent of any past-due benefits. In compliance with 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A),
counsel’s requested fee does not exceed 25 percent of any past-due benefits.
1

Courts have considered the following factors in awarding attorney’s fees:
“(1) novelty of questions and skill required, (2) customary fees, (3) contingency of fee,
(4) nature and length of professional relationship, and (5) amount involved and results
obtained.” Craig v. Sec’y, Dep’t of Health and Human Servs., 864 F.2d 324, 326 (4th Cir.
1989), abrogated on other grounds by Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789 (2002).
1

The requested attorney’s fee is reasonable2 given that Plaintiff’s counsel expended 28.7
hours working on this matter at the court level. Wrenn v. Astrue, 525 F.3d 931, 937 (10th Cir.
2008) (noting that under § 406(b) the court makes fee awards only for work done before the
court). Further, Plaintiff’s counsel achieved a successful result without any unreasonable delay.
In light of counsel’s specialized skill in social security disability cases, the attorney’s fee award
does not amount to a windfall. Cf. Brown v. Barnhart, 270 F. Supp. 2d 769, 772-73 (W.D. Va.
2003). However, Plaintiff’s counsel must refund to Plaintiff the $4,258.00 awarded under the
Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). “Fee awards may be made under both [EAJA and
§ 406(b)], but the claimant’s attorney must refund to the claimant the amount of the smaller
fee[,] . . . up to the point the claimant receives 100 percent of the past-due benefits.” Gisbrecht,
535 U.S. at 796 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
It is therefore
ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s fees, docket number 35, is granted, and
the Plaintiff is awarded attorney’s fees in the amount of Six Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Four
Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($6,154.75).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Henry M. Herlong, Jr.
Senior United States District Judge
Greenville, South Carolina
November 5, 2012

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“In exercising [the court’s] discretion, . . . [the court] must adhere to established principles
of law, and it must clearly explain its reasons for the award [of attorney’s fees].” Craig, 864
F.2d at 328.
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