McMahon

I. Facts and Procedural History

On April 20, 1999, Clark filed an application for disability insurance benefits with the Social Security Administration (“the Administration”), pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-34, alleging she was disabled due to depression, back weakness, fatigue, aches in her hips and knees, and chronic inflamma- tion. After three hearings before the Administration and two appeals to federal district court, an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) issued a decision on March 8, 2006, finding Clark had been disabled since July 15, 1997, and was entitled to dis- ability benefits starting on that date. On May 29, 2006, the Administration issued a Notice of Awards to Clark, informing her that her past-due benefits totaled $72,068.

Throughout her three hearings before the Administration, Clark was represented by attorney Ann Cook. Pursuant to a written agreement, Clark agreed to pay Ms. Cook the lesser of $5,300 or twenty-five percent (25%) of past-due disability benefits awarded to Clark. On March 8, 2006, the ALJ in Clark’s final administrative hearing approved the agreement, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(a). On May 9, 2006, the Admin- istration paid $5,300 to Ms. Cook out…