(SS) Sandstrom v. Commissioner of Social Security

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

Acting United States Attorney

DEBORAH LEE STACHEL, CSBN 230138

Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX

Social Security Administration

MARCELO ILLARMO (MABN 670079)

Special Assistant United States Attorney

160 Spear Street, Suite 800

San Francisco, California 94105

Tel: (415) 970-4822

Fax: (415) 744-0134

E-mail: [email protected]

Attorneys for Defendant

Meghan O. Lambert, Esq.

Osterhout Berger Disability Law, LLC

521 Cedar Way, Suite 200

Oakmont, PA 15139

Phone: 412-794-8003

[email protected]

CA Bar ID: 258040

Attorney for Plaintiff, Kris Brandy Sandstrom

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO DIVISION

KRIS BRANDY SANDSTROM, Case No. 2:20-cv-1919-KJN Plaintiff, STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR THE AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER v. THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (EAJA) 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), AND COSTS KILOLO KIJAKAZI, PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1920 Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

TO THE HONORABLE KENDALL J. NEWMAN MAGISTRATE JUDGE OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT:

The Parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the Court’s approval, stipulate that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees in the amount of SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS and 00/100 ($7,200.00) under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and no costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920. 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. § 2412(d).

After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Plaintiff, the government will consider the matter of Plaintiff’s assignment of EAJA fees to counsel. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 177 L.Ed.2d 91 (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 Plaintiff, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to counsel, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any payments made shall be delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel, Meghan O. Lambert.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff’s request for EAJA fees, and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA. Payment of SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS and 00/100 ($7,200.00) in EAJA attorney fees. These payments shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s attorney, Meghan O. Lambert, may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff's attorney to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

Respectfully submitted, Dated: 11/16/2021 /s/ Meghan O. Lambert MEGHAN O. LAMBERT

Attorney for Plaintiff ? Dated: 11/17/2021 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

Acting United States Attorney DEBORAH LEE STACHEL

Regional Chief Counsel, Region IX Social Security Administration By: __/s/ Marcelo Illarmo * MARCELO ILLARMO

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys for Defendant (*Permission to use electronic signature obtained via email on 11/17/2021).

SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 18, 2021

Ke AO

KENDALL J LK UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE sand.1919