Roberts v. Commissioner of Social Security

1 CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RICARDO S. MARTINEZ

6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 7 AT TACOMA AMBER K. ROBERTS, ) ) CIVIL NO. 3:20-cv-05780-RSM Plaintiff, ) 10 ) ORDER vs. ) 11 ) COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, ) 12 ) Defendant ) 13 ) This matter comes before the Court on the parties’ stipulated motion for attorney’s fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412 The motion is timely as Plaintiff had a 60-day appeal period, plus the 30-day period in §2412(d)(1)(B), from the entry of final judgment on March 18, 2021 to file a timely EAJA application. Akopyan v. Barnhart, 296 F.3d 852 (9th Cir. 2002); Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 19 89, 94-96 (1991); FED. R. App. P. 4(a). Furthermore, upon review of the stipulation and the record, the Court determines that Plaintiff is the prevailing party, the government’s position was not substantially justified, and that the itemization of attorney time spent is reasonable. In short, the requirements of § 2412(d)(1)(B) are met.

David Oliver & Associates 2608 South 47th Street, Suite C 1 Having thoroughly considered the parties’ briefing and the relevant record, the Court hereby GRANTS the motion and awards Plaintiff $3,830.40 in attorney’s fees, subject to any offset allowed under the Treasury Offset Program. See. Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 – 590 (2010).

4 Payment of EAJA fees shall be sent to Plaintiff’s attorney: David Oliver, David Oliver & Associates, 2608 South 47th Street, Suite C, Tacoma, WA 98409. Pursuant to Ratliff, award shall be payable to Plaintiff’s attorneys, David Oliver & Associates, if the Commissioner confirms that Plaintiff owes no debt to the Government through the Federal Treasury Offset program.

8 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s stipulated motion for attorney fees is GRANTED.

10 DATED this 17th day of June, 2021.

12 A RICARDO S. MARTINEZ CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

18 Presented by: S/David P. OLIVER David P. Oliver, Attorney for Plaintiff David Oliver & Associates 2608 S 47th St., Suite C Tacoma, WA 98409 Telephone 253-472-4357 Fax 253-475-4684 [email protected] David Oliver & Associates 2608 South 47th Street, Suite C