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Bellew v. Colvin, 1:13-cv-01343-GSA. (2014)

Court: District Court, E.D. California Number: infdco20140326a30 Visitors: 14
Filed: Mar. 25, 2014
Latest Update: Mar. 25, 2014
Summary: STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. 2412(d) AND COSTS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. 1920 GARY S. AUSTIN, Magistrate Judge. TO THE HONORABLE GARY S. AUSTIN, MAGISTRATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT: IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Levi Adam Bellew be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount of ONE THO
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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) AND COSTS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1920

GARY S. AUSTIN, Magistrate Judge.

TO THE HONORABLE GARY S. AUSTIN, MAGISTRATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT:

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Levi Adam Bellew be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount of ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY dollars ($1,350) under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). This amount represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 1920; 2412(d).

After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Levi Adam Bellew, the government will consider the matter of Levi Adam Bellew's assignment of EAJA fees to Brian C. Shapiro. The retainer agreement containing the assignment is attached as exhibit 1. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 2529 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on whether the fees are subject to any offset allowed under the United States Department of the Treasury's Offset Program. After the order for EAJA fees is entered, the government will determine whether they are subject to any offset.

Fees shall be made payable to Levi Adam Bellew, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that Levi Adam Bellew does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing, pursuant to the assignment executed by Levi Adam Bellew. United States v. $186,416.00, 722 F.3d 1173, 1176 (9th Cir. 2013) ($186,416.00 II) (ordering fees paid to counsel because of an assignment that did not interfere with a raised superior lien).1 Any payments made shall be delivered to Brian C. Shapiro.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Levi Adam Bellew's request for EAJA attorney fees, and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Levi Adam Bellew and/or Brian C. Shapiro including Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Brian C. Shapiro and/or the Law Offices of Lawrence D. Rohlfing to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

ORDER

Pursuant to the above stipulation between the parties filed on March 24, 2014 (Doc. 16), it is hereby ordered that attorney fees in the amount of $1,350.00, shall be awarded to Plaintiff under 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) (EAJA). Any EAJA fees shall be awarded subject to the terms of the stipulation.

FootNotes


1. The Commissioner does not stipulate to the citation of $186,416.00 II, and will not participate in representing to this Court that it carries legal import in these proceedings. $186,416 II involved a different statute and very different factual circumstances than those presented here, or in other Social Security cases. Because the parties have agreed to the payment of EAJA fees, and the amount, and to avoid motion practice solely related to Plaintiff's citation, the Commissioner agrees to this stipulation. The Commissioner reserves the right to challenge the applicability of $186,416 to any Social Security case, and this Stipulation should not be construed as a waiver of such reservation.

Bellew contends that U.S. v. $186,416.00 in U.S. Currency, 642 F.3d 753, 757 (9th Cir. 2011) ($186,416.00 II) held that there is no functional difference between the CAFRA and EAJA in terms of "ownership" of the fee.

Source:  Leagle

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