Jefferson v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration

Filing 39

ORDER granting 36 Motion for Attorney Fees per Rule 406b, awarding fees in the amount of $19,221.75. Signed by Honorable Bruce Howe Hendricks on 09/19/2017.(bshr, )

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

Carolyn Jefferson,

)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
)
Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting
)
Commissioner of Social Security
)
Administration,
)
)
Defendant.
)
________________________________)

Civil Action No. 1:15-cv-786-BHH
ORDER

On September 5, 2017, Beatrice E. Whitten (“Whitten”), counsel for Plaintiff Carolyn
Jefferson (“Plaintiff”), filed a motion for attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b).
(ECF No. 36.) In the motion, Whitten requests reimbursement for representation provided
in the above-referenced case in the amount of $19,221.75. 1
As required by 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), the amount requested by counsel is not greater
than twenty-five percent (25%) of the past-due benefits recovered by Plaintiff. Counsel for
the Acting Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”) filed a response to the
motion on September 14, 2017, in which she states that the Commissioner does not
oppose the motion. (ECF No. 37.) The Court has reviewed the motion and exhibits and
finds that counsel’s request for fees is reasonable.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff's motion for attorney’s fees (ECF No. 36)
pursuant to the Social Security Act, 42 U .S.C. § 406(b), is GRANTED in the amount of

1

Plaintiff was awarded $78,258.00 in back-due benefits.

$19,221.75. 2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/Bruce Howe Hendricks
United States District Judge
September 19, 2017
Charleston, South Carolina

2

Plaintiff received $9,376.00 in attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. §
2412(d). (ECF No. 35.) Plaintiff's attorney must refund to Plaintiff the EAJA fees already paid. See Gisbrecht
v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 796 (2002) (noting that fees may be awarded under both § 406(b) and EAJA but
that the claimant’s attorney must refund to the claimant the amount of the smaller fee) (internal quotations and
citation omitted); Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 2528 (2010).

2