The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
MICHELLE LYNN BIGGS, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Case No. CIV-23-742-D
)
MARTIN O’MALLEY,1 )
Commissioner of )
Social Security, )
)
Defendant. )
ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff’s Application for Award of Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to
the Equal Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. §2412 [Doc. No. 13]. Plaintiff seeks an award of
fees in the amount of $5,321.70 to compensate her attorney for legal services provided in
the case (21.9 hours of attorney time). Plaintiff is the prevailing party in this action under
42 U.S.C. § 405(g) by virtue of the Order of Remand [Doc. No. 11] and Judgment [Doc.
No. 12] entered November 14, 2023. Defendant has responded by stating that he does not
contest an award of attorney fees of $5,321.70 payable to Plaintiff, consistent with Astrue
v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 595-98 (2010), Manning v. Astrue, 510 F.3d 1246, 1255 (10th Cir.
2007), and Brown v. Astrue, 271 F. App’x 741, 743-44 (10th Cir. 2008). See Def.’s Resp.
[Doc. No. 16] at 2.
1 Mr. O’Malley became the Commissioner of Social Security on December 20, 2023. See Def.’s
Resp. [Doc. No. 16] at 1 n.1. Under FED. R. CIV. P. 25(d), he is “automatically substituted as a
party.”
After consideration of the law and the case record, and accepting the representations
in Defendant’s Response, the Court finds: (1) the Commissioner’s position in the case was
not substantially justified; (2) Plaintiff is entitled to an award of attorney fees under the
Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d); and (3) the amount of fees is reasonable.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff's Application for Award of
Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. §2412 [Doc. No. 13]
is GRANTED. The Court orders an award of attorney fees to Plaintiff pursuant to the Equal
Access to Justice Act in the amount of $5,321.70. Should an additional fee award under 42
U.S.C. § 406(b) subsequently be authorized, Plaintiff’s attorney shall refund the smaller
amount to Plaintiff as required by Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10th Cir. 1986).
IT IS SO ORDERED this 1* day of February, 2024.
\" \
Ny QQ,
TIMOTHY D. DeGIUSTI
Chief United States District Judge