Goundar v. Commissioner of Social Security

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA KESHNI N. GOUNDAR, CASE NO. 2:19-cv-01305-JRC 11 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING 12 v. UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES PURSUANT COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, TO 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) 14 Defendant.

16 This matter is before the Court on the parties’ consent (Dkt. 2) and on plaintiff’s unopposed motion for attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). Dkt. 23.

18 The Court may allow a reasonable fee for an attorney who represented a claimant before the Court and obtained a favorable judgment, as long as the fee is not in excess of twenty-five percent of the total past-due benefits. See 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1); Grisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 21 U.S. 789, 807 (2002). When a contingency agreement applies, the Court will look first to the agreement and will conduct an independent review to assure the reasonableness of the fee requested, taking into consideration the character of the representation and results achieved. See Grisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 807–08. Although the fee agreement is the primary means for determining the fee, the Court will adjust the fee downward if substandard representation was provided, if the attorney caused excessive delay, or if a windfall would result from the requested fee. See Crawford v. Astrue, 586 F.3d 1142, 1151 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Grisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 808).

5 Here, the representation was standard, at least, and the results achieved excellent.

6 Following a stipulated remand from this Court for further consideration (Dkt. 15), plaintiff was awarded benefits. See Dkt. 23-2. There has not been excessive delay and no windfall will result from the requested fee.

9 Plaintiff’s total back payment was $80,550.00. See Dkt. 23-2 at 3. Plaintiff’s gross attorney’s fee of $20,137.50 is twenty-five percent of the back benefits. However, plaintiff’s attorney already received an EAJA award in the amount of $3,735.55, which he will refund to plaintiff. See Dkt. 22, 23.

13 Based on plaintiff’s unopposed motion and supporting documents (see Dkt. 24), it is hereby ORDERED that attorney’s fees in the amount of $20,137.50 be awarded to plaintiff’s attorney pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). The Social Security Administration is directed to send payment of the 406(b) fees, minus any applicable processing fees as allowed by statute to plaintiff’s attorney at NW Disability Benefits, LLC dba Kerr Robichaux & Carroll (TID 85- 3999428), PO Box 14490, Portland, OR 97293. Plaintiff’s attorney will refund the EAJA fee of $3,735.55 to plaintiff following receipt of the 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) award.

20 Dated this 13th day of May, 2022.

A J. Richard Creatura Chief United States Magistrate Judge