Stephen L. Mudd v. Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security

Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the opinion, in which Judge KING and Judge SPENCER joined.

OPINION

MICHAEL, Circuit Judge.

After the Social Security benefits claimant in this case lost at the administrative level, the district court awarded him benefits and awarded his lawyer the agreed-upon contingent fee (twenty-five percent of past-due benefits). The Commissioner of Social Security appeals only the district court’s denial of her motion to alter or amend the fee order. Under the governing statute, 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), a district court may award fees to a successful claimant’s…