1:17-cv-00145-TJC | D. Mont. | Jun 9, 2022
Case 1:17-cv-00145-TJC Document 21 Filed 06/09/22 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA BILLINGS DIVISION MARY M. HEWITT, CV 17-145-BLG-TJC Plaintiff, ORDER vs. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, [1]
Defendant. John E. Seidlitz, Jr., counsel for Plaintiff Mary M. Hewitt, has filed an unopposed motion for attorney fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). (Doc. 19.) Mr. Seidlitz requests attorney fees in the amount of $5,219.75. The Commissioner has no objection to the motion.
On December 17, 2020, the Court reversed and remanded the Commissioner’s final decision for further administrative proceeding. Plaintiff subsequently prevailed on remand, and was awarded total past-due benefits in the amount of $44,879.00. ( Id. at ¶ 15.) Mr. Seidlitz requests $5,219.75, which represents less than 12% of the award, for the direct payment of attorney fees.
Case 1:17-cv-00145-TJC Document 21 Filed 06/09/22 Page 2 of 2 The governing law, 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A), limits the recovery of attorney fees to no more than 25% of past-due benefits. The Court finds the $5,219.75 award is within the 25% limit imposed under §406(b)(1)(A). The Court further finds that the award is reasonable.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that motion for attorney fees is GRANTED. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1)(A), the Court authorizes payment of attorney’s fees in the amount of $5,219.75 to Plaintiff’s attorney, John E. Seidlitz, Jr.
DATED this 9th day of June, 2022. _______________________________
TIMOTHY J. CAVAN
United States Magistrate Judge
NOTES
[1] Kilolo Kijakazi is substituted for Commissioner Andrew Saul pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(d).