Lovel Redden v. John W. Gardner, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare

Remanding this Social Security case to the District Court for the awarding of reasonable counsel fees, this court stated: “a reasonable fee for the lawyer, from what he has done thus far would probably lie well within * * * $1750 * * Redden v. Celebrezze, 370 F.2d 373, 376 (4th Cir. 1966). Inexplicably, the District Court awarded claimant’s attorney over $2200 more than the estimated maximum.

We find the award of $3960, only $1.73 less than the statutory maximum of 25% of the claimant's accrued benefits, 1 to be excessive and incompatible with the principles laid down in McKittrick v. Gardner,…