Social Security Law Firm Can Keep $1,556 Per Hour Fee Award

A law firm that specializes in social security cases is entitled to the entire $40,107 it requested as a contingency fee in a successful case, even though the district court called the $1,556 hourly rate a windfall, the Second Circuit said Friday.

When Jim Fields hired the Law Office of Charles E. Binder and Harry J. Binder LLP in 2011 to represent him in his quest for social securities disability benefits, the parties agreed that the firm would get 25% of any past-due benefits awarded. After multiple administrative hearings and several filings in federal court, Fields was awarded $160,680 in ...