Squires v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA ORLANDO DIVISION

JESSICA LEIGH SQUIRES,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No.: 6:23-cv-233-KCD

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant. / ORDER Plaintiff Jessica Leigh Squires requests a fee and cost award under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). (Doc. 31.)1 The Commissioner does not object to the relief sought. The Court thus grants the motion. Earlier in this case, the Court entered an order (Doc. 29) reversing and remanding the Commissioner’s decision. Thus, under EAJA, Plaintiff moves for an award of $4,537.65 in attorney’s fees and the $402 filing fee. For Plaintiff to receive a fee and cost award under EAJA, these five conditions must be met: (1) she must file a timely application for attorney’s fees; (2) her net worth must have been less than $2 million dollars when the complaint was filed; (3) she must be the prevailing party in a non-tort suit

1 Unless otherwise indicated, all internal quotation marks, citations, and alterations have been omitted in this and later citations. 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). Considering the motion, and with no opposition, the Court finds all conditions of EAJA have been met. EAJA fees are determined under the “lodestar” method—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 of reasonableness. City of Burlington v. Daque, 505 U.S. 557, 562 (1992). After review of the services provided, the Court finds

the hours expended by the attorneys that worked on this case are reasonable. (Doc. 31 at 11-12.) 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 an increase in the cost of living, or a special factor justifies a higher fee. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(2)(A). Thus, determining the appropriate hourly rate is a two-step process. The Court first determines the prevailing market rate; then, if it exceeds $125.00, the Court determines whether to adjust it. Meyer 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). For her counsel, Plaintiff requests an hourly rate of $243.96. (Doc. 31 at 12.) After

review, and considering the rates are uncontested, the Court finds this reasonable. Plaintiff also filed a “Retainer Agreement-Federal Trial Court Appeal.” (Doc. 31-1.) It provides: “Claimant hereby assigns [her] right to any attorney

fees awarded under the [EAJA] to attorney, Culburtson, Jacobs & Laboda, PLLC.” (Id.) But Plaintiff acknowledges that after awarding EAJA fees, the Commissioner will determine whether she owes a federal debt to the Government. If no debt is owed, the Government will accept Plaintiff’s

assignment, and the fees will be paid directly to counsel. (Doc. 31 at 9.) 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. Plaintiff also seeks $402 in costs for the filing fee. Under 28 U.S.C. §

2412, and as enumerated in 28 U.S.C. § 1920, that cost is taxable, and the Court will award it. It is thus ORDERED: Plaintiff’s Unopposed Petition for EAJA Fees (Doc. 31) is GRANTED,

and the Court awards Plaintiff $4,537.65 in attorney’s fees and $402 in costs. This award will be paid directly to Plaintiff’s counsel if the United States determines that no federal debt is owed by Plaintiff. ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this January 5, 2024.

Le —.

e C. Dudek United States Magistrate Judge

Copies: All Parties of Record