(SS) Romero v. Commissioner of Social Security
1:24-cv-01071
E.D. Cal.
Feb 21, 2025
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Docket

PAUL RENE ROMERO v. LELAND DUDEK, Acting Commissioner of Social Security

Case No. 1:24-cv-01071-SKO

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA FRESNO DIVISION

February 21, 2025

Document 17; (Doc. 16)

Francesco Benavides, CSBN 258924
Law Offices of Francesco Benavides
1990 N. California Blvd. 8th Floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Tel: (925) 222-7071
Email: francesco@benavidesdisabilitylaw.com

Attorney for Plaintiff
PAUL RENE ROMERO

STIPULATION AND UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR THE AWARD AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT; ORDER

(Doc. 16)

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount of $7,400.00, under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and $405.00 in costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920. This amount represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 2412(d), 1920.

After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Plaintiff, the government will consider the matter of Plaintiff‘s assignment of EAJA fees to counsel. Pursuant to , the ability to honor the assignment will depend on whether the fees are subject to any offset allowed under the United States Department of the Treasury‘s Offset Program. After the order for EAJA fees is entered, the government will determine whether they are subject to any offset.

Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses and costs to be made directly to Plaintiff‘s counsel, Francesco Benavides, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff.

Payments may be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or by check.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff‘s request for EAJA attorney fees and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA or otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Francesco Benavides, including the Law Offices of Francesco Benavides, may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action.

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Francesco Benavides to seek Social Security Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: February 20, 2025

Law Offices of Francesco Benavides

By: /s/ Francesco Benavides
FRANCESCO P. BENAVIDES
Attorney for Plaintiff

Dated: February 20, 2025

MICHELE BECKWITH
Acting United States Attorney
MATHEW W. PILE
Associate General Counsel
Social Security Administration

By: Mary Tsai*
MARY TSAI
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney
Attorneys for Defendant
(*Permission to use electronic signature obtained via email on February 20, 2025).

ORDER

Based upon the parties’ foregoing Stipulation and Unopposed Motion for the Award and Payment of Equal Access to Justice Act Fees and Expenses (Doc. 16), IT IS ORDERED that fees and expenses in the amount of $7,400.00 as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and $405.00 in costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920, be awarded subject to the terms of the Stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 21, 2025

/s/ Sheila K. Oberto

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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