Serafin v. Social Security Administration

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO ROGER M. SERAFIN, Plaintiff, VS. Civ. No. 18-01053 SMV ANDREW SAUL, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Defendant. ORDER GRANTING STIPULATION TO AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT The Court, having reviewed the parties’ Stipulation of Award of Attorney Fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412 (Doc. 22), HEREBY ORDERS that attorney fees be, and hereby are, awarded under the EAJA, payable to Plaintiff but mailed to her attorney in the amount of 7,500.00. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010) (EAJA fees are paid to the prevailing party, not the attorney). IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT, if Plaintiffs counsel receives attorney fees under both the EAJA and 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) of the Social Security Act, Plaintiff's counsel shall refund the smaller award to Plaintiff pursuant to Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10th Cir. 1986).

\ LAL UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE STEPHAN M. VIDMAR

SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY: Filed Electronically 11/13/19 Laura Johnson Attorney for Plaintiff

Electronically Approved 11/12/19 STEVEN W. MARTYN Special Assistant United States Attorney Office of General Counsel, Region VIII Attorney for Defendant