Elijah M. Lais v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON ELIJAH M. LAIS, Case No. 6:21-cv-01469-MC Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR vs. ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) COMMISSIONER, Social Security Administration, Defendant.

Plaintiff Elijah M. Lais brought this action seeking review of the Commissioner’s final decision denying his application for disability benefits under the Social Security Act. The Court reversed the Commissioner’s decision, remanded the case for further proceedings, and entered Judgment on March 31, 2023. Upon remand, the Commissioner found Plaintiff entitled to benefits beginning May 2014.

Plaintiff now seeks an award of fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). The Commissioner neither supports nor opposes counsel’s request for attorney’s fees. I have reviewed the record in this case, the motion, and the supporting materials, including the award of benefits, the fee agreement with counsel, and the recitation of counsel’s hours and services. Applying the standards set by Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 796 (2002), the Court finds that the requested fees are reasonable.

Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 406(b) is hereby GRANTED, and Plaintiff’s counsel is awarded $25,810.00 in attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b).

Previously, the Agency awarded Plaintiff’s counsel $8,836.73 in administrative fees. The Court will offset that award against the 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) award and order that, in accordance with agency policy, the Commissioner make a direct payment of $16,973.27, less any applicable processing or user fees prescribed by statute, to Plaintiff’s attorney, Katherine L. Eitenmiller, at WELLS, MANNING, EITENMILLER & TAYLOR, P.C. Payment is to be made from benefits the Social Security Administration has withheld from Plaintiff’s past due benefits. Any amount withheld after all administrative and court attorney fees are paid should be released to the claimant.

IT IS SO ORDERED this _4_t_h_ day of __M__a_rc_h____________ 2026.

__s_/M__i_ch_a_e_l_ J_._ M__c_S_h_a_n_e________________ MICHAEL J. MCSHANE United States District Judge Proposed Order submitted by: Katherine L. Eitenmiller WELLS, MANNING, EITENMILLER & TAYLOR, P.C.

474 Willamette Street Eugene, OR 97401 (541)686-1969 [email protected] Of Attorneys for Plaintiff ORDER GRANTING ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)