(SS) Ohman v. Commissioner of Social Security

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 DEBBIE OHMAN, No. 2:16-cv-2722-JAM-EFB Plaintiff, v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ANDREW SAUL, Commissioner of Social Security, 14 Defendant. 15 16 Plaintiff moves for an award of attorney’s fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1). ECF No. 24. She seeks attorney fees in the amount of $9,707.45 based on 40.6 hours of work performed by attorney Andrew Koenig and 8.8 hours of work performed by associate attorney Gwen Jones at rates ranging from $192.68 to $196.79 per hour. Id. at 10-11. She also seeks $400.00 in costs. Id. at 11. Defendant argues that plaintiff is not entitled to reasonable attorney fees under the EAJA because the Commissioner’s position was substantially justified. ECF No. 26 at 1-2. Alternatively, she argues that the number of hours sought is unreasonable and should be reduced accordingly. Id. As explained below, the Commissioner’s position was not substantially…