Finnegan-Crews v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration ( 2022 )

1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Amy Lou Finnegan-Crews, No. CV-21-00096-PHX-JAT 10 Plaintiff, ORDER 11 v. 12 Commissioner of Social Security Administration, 13 Defendant. 14 15 Pending before the Court is a stipulation of the parties that Plaintiff be awarded 16 attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”). In the stipulation, the 17 parties state: “…such award should not be…construed as a concession by the 18 Commissioner that his original decision denying benefits was not substantially justified. 19 Accordingly, Plaintiff is entitled to attorney fees in the amount of $5025.17 as a 20 compromise settlement, which does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of 21 Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise.” (Doc. 29 at 2). 22 The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has explained: 23 Pursuant to the EAJA, we are required to award [Plaintiff] fees and other expenses incurred in connection with his civil action unless we find that the 24 position of the United States was “substantially justified” or that special circumstances make an award unjust. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). 25 The test for determining whether the Secretary’s position was substantially 26 justified under the EAJA is whether the position had a reasonable basis in both law and fact—that is, whether it was justified “to a degree that could 27 satisfy a reasonable person.” Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 565 (1988); see also Barry v. Bowen, 825 F.2d 1324, 1330 (9th Cir. 1987). The 28 burden is on the Secretary to prove that his position was substantially justified. Id. 1 Russell v. Sullivan, 930 F.2d 1443, 1445 (9th Cir. 1991). 2 The Government’s failure to oppose fees, but simultaneously disclaim that it owes 3 fees under the EAJA, puts the Court in a difficult position. This case was remanded by 4 stipulation of the parties (Docs. 26-27), and this Court has never evaluated either party’s 5 positions. 6 Nonetheless, applying the test as articulated in Russell, the Court finds that the 7 Government has failed to prove that its position was substantially justified or that special 8 circumstances make an award unjust. 930 F.2d at 1445; see also Michele M. v. Saul, No. 9 19-CV-00272-JLB, 2020 WL 5203375, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 1, 2020). Additionally, the 10 parties have effectively stipulated that Plaintiff is the prevailing party. Finally, the parties 11 have effectively stipulated that the requested fees are reasonable (no costs are sought in 12 this case). 13 Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiff is entitled to EAJA fees. Therefore, 14 IT IS ORDERED granting the stipulation (Doc. 29) such that fees and expenses in 15 the amount of $5,025.17 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and costs in the amount of $0 16 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 1920 are awarded subject to the terms of the Stipulation. 17 / / / 18 / / / 19 / / / 20 / / / 21 / / / 22 / / / 23 / / / 24 / / / 25 / / / 26 / / / 27 / / / 28 / / / 1 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if, after receiving this Order, the Commissioner: 2|| (1) determines upon effectuation of this Order that Plaintiff does not owe a debt that is 3|| subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program, and (2) agrees to waive the 4|| requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, then the check for the fees awarded herein will □□ be made payable to Plaintiff's attorney.! However, if there is a debt owed under the 6|| Treasury Offset Program, the Commissioner cannot agree to waive the requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, and any remaining Equal Access to Justice Act fees after offset will 8 || be paid by a check made out to Plaintiff but delivered to Plaintiff's attorney. 9 Dated this 7th day of April, 2022. 10 11 a 3 12 James A. Teilborg 13 Senior United States District Judge 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ! This direction is pursuant to an assignment purportedly signed by Plaintiff but not filed 28]| in the record. See (Doc. 29 at 3, Tines 16-18). The Court has accepted counsel’s representation that such assignment exists. -3-