Pearce v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Filing 33

ORDER granting 31 Motion for Attorney Fees. The Court hereby ORDERS that Plaintiff's Motion for an Award of Attorney's Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act is GRANTED, and the Commissioner is ordered to award Plaintiff $3,544.00 in attorney's fees and $16.61 in expenses. Signed by Chief Judge Terry L Wooten on 9/5/2014.(gnan )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
ORANGEBURG DIVISION
MILLIE J. PEARCE,

)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
)
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
)
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
)
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
)
)
Defendant.
)
___________________________________ )

Case No. 5:12-cv-01999-TLW

ORDER
On August 29, 2013, Plaintiff Millie J. Pearce brought a motion for attorney’s fees
pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412, on the basis that the
Commissioner’s position in this action was not substantially justified. (Doc. #31). The motion
seeks reimbursement for counsel’s representation in the captioned matter in the amount of
$3,544.00 for fees (representing 22.15 hours at a cost of $160.00 per hour) and $16.61 for
expenses. The Commissioner filed a response in support of Plaintiff’s motion on September 16,
2013, agreeing to pay the requested fees and expenses. (Doc. #32).
Under the EAJA, a court shall award attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in certain civil
actions against the United States unless the court finds that the government’s position was
substantially justified or special circumstances make an award unjust. 28 U.S.C.
§ 2412(d)(1)(A).

To determine whether the Commissioner was “substantially justified” in

terminating social security benefits and thus whether an award of attorney’s fees under the EAJA
is warranted, the Court asks whether there was arguably substantial evidence to support the
Commissioner’s position. Anderson v. Heckler, 756 F.2d 1011 (4th Cir. 1984).

After careful consideration of the parties’ filings, it is reasonable to conclude that the
Commissioner’s position was not substantially justified and that the requested fees and expenses
should be awarded. As noted, the Commissioner does not object to Plaintiff’s motion for an
award of fees.
Having reviewed the file and being fully advised, the Court hereby ORDERS that
Plaintiff’s Motion for an Award of Attorney’s Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act is
GRANTED, and the Commissioner is ordered to award Plaintiff $3,544.00 in attorney’s fees
and $16.61 in expenses. (Doc. #31). Although the EAJA fee award should be paid to Plaintiff
rather than to her attorney pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S. Ct. 2521, 2528-29 (2010), the
check itself should be mailed directly to Plaintiff’s attorney.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Terry L. Wooten
Terry L. Wooten
Chief United States District Judge
September 5, 2014
Columbia, South Carolina