Sterling v. Commissioner of Social Security

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RICHARD A. JONES

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE DEREK STERLING, ) ) CIVIL NO. 3:20-cv-06169-RAJ 10 Plaintiff, ) ) PROPOSED ORDER 11 vs. ) ) COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, ) ) 13 Defendant ) ) 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 judgement on August 4th, 2021 to file a timely EAJA application. Akopyan v. Barnhart, 296 F.3d 852 (9th Cir. 2002); Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 20 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 $2,686.56 in attorney’s fees, subject to any offset allowed under the Treasury Offset Program. See. Astrue v. Ratiff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 – 590 (2010).

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

9 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s stipulated motion for attorney fees is GRANTED; 11 DATED this 10th day of January, 2022.

13 A 15 The Honorable Richard A. Jones United States District Judge

David Oliver & Associates 2608 South 47th Street, Suite C