Dulude v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA ORLANDO DIVISION

SHARON ANN DULUDE,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No.: 6:20-cv-890-DNF

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

OPINION AND ORDER This cause is before the Court on Plaintiff Sharon Ann Dulude’s Unopposed Petition for Attorney Fees (Doc. 37) filed on December 6, 2021. Plaintiff requests that the Court enter an order awarding attorney fees in the amount of $9,000.00 and costs in the amount of $400.00, pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). For the reasons explained below, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s request is due to be GRANTED. In order for Plaintiff to receive an award of fees under EAJA, the following five conditions must be established: (1) Plaintiff must file a timely application for attorney fees; (2) Plaintiff’s net worth must have been less than $2 million dollars at the time the Complaint was filed; (3) Plaintiff must be the prevailing party in a non- tort suit involving the United States; (4) The position of the United States must not have been substantially justified; and (5) There must be no special circumstances that would make the award unjust. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d); Comm’r, I.N.S. v. Jean, 496

U.S. 154, 158 (1990). The Commissioner does not contest that the five conditions are met. Therefore, all of the conditions for EAJA fees have been satisfied. EAJA fees are determined under the “lodestar” method by determining the

number of hours reasonably expended on the matter multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate. Jean v. Nelson, 863 F.2d 759, 773 (11th Cir. 1988). The resulting fee carries a strong presumption that it is the reasonable fee. City of Burlington v. Daque, 505 U.S. 557, 562 (1992). Plaintiff’s counsel spent a total of 59.65 hours in EAJA

related representation of Plaintiff before this Court. (Doc. 37, p. 2, 4-6). After reviewing the description of services provided, the Court determines that the settlement the parties reached is reasonable in this case.1

EAJA fees are “based upon prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished,” not to exceed $125 per hour unless the Court determines that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor justifies a higher fee. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(2)(A). Determination of the appropriate hourly rate is thus a two-step

process. The Court first determines the prevailing market rate; then, if the prevailing rate exceeds $125.00, the Court determines whether to adjust the hourly rate. Meyer

1 Plaintiff’s actual fees total $12,914.07, but the parties agreed to a settlement of fees in the amount of $9,000.00 in this case. (Doc. 37, p. 2). v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 1029, 1033-34 (11th Cir. 1992). The prevailing market rates must be determined according to rates customarily charged for similarly complex

litigation, and are not limited to rates specifically for social security cases. Watford v. Heckler, 765 F.2d 1562, 1568 (11th Cir. 1985). Plaintiff is requesting hourly rates of $207.78 for the year 2020 and $220.22 for the year 2021 for counsel in this case.

(Doc. 37, p. 2). After reviewing the hourly rates, the Court determines that the settlement the parties reached is reasonable in this case. Accordingly, the Court will award Plaintiff’s attorney fees totaling $9,000.00. Plaintiff also requests $400.00 in costs for the filing fee. (Doc. 37, p.1).

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412 and as enumerated in 28 U.S.C. § 1920, this cost is permitted to be awarded to the prevailing party. Therefore, the Court awards $400.00 in costs.

Plaintiff filed a Fee Agreement Social Security Disability Federal Court Claim (Doc. 37-1). In that document, Plaintiff agreed to “assign any and all rights to any attorney fees payable under the Equal Access of Justice Act to Sarah H Bohr and/or Curtis J. Fisher and/or Heather Freeman and hereby consent to the payment of those

fees directly to my attorney.” (Doc. 37-1, p. 2). Thus, the fees awarded should be paid directly to counsel if the United States Department of Treasury determines that no federal debt is owed by Plaintiff. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: (1) Plaintiff's Unopposed Petition for Attorney Fees (Doc. 37) is GRANTED. (2) Attorney fees totaling $9,000.00 and costs totaling $400.00 are awarded to Plaintiff. The attorney fees and costs may be paid directly to Plaintiff's counsel if the United States Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff owes no federal debt. (3) The Clerk of Court is directed to enter an amended judgment. DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on December 7, 2021.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Copies furnished to: Counsel of Record Unrepresented Parties