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   %  &  '  ( Ê ) D * U + Ê ,  - D . Ê Z/#Z/# ÔÔ †_ 3| x    .  * î\	  	 p`   T m s R m n     P r o     ) ô\	  	   `   & T m s R m n       L e g a l   P r o          ÈR    ÈR  ( @øÐ  	   Z  ‹6 T i m e s   N e w   R o m a n   R e g u l a r         ( @øÐ  	   Z  ‹6 T i m e s   N e w   R o m a n   R e g u l a r           È]    ÈR    ÈO    ÈR                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
            Î-   
 '           U S C V A    0    U S C V A   
 .      
       
       
         Hu  Ý
 ƒ   ! ÝÝ    ÝÑ7 €   È¿  X  X       dæ                  dÈ 7 ÑÑ    
 Ñà@    Œ
Œ
 ì àòòUNITED€STATES€COURT€OF€VETERANS€APPEALSóóˆÐ   	 °      ÐÌÌà@    %%% ì àNo.€95„906ˆÌÌà     àà    `	 àà@    šš ì àòòEgon€Similes,€Appellant,ˆÐ   	 .	~   ÐÌà@    šš) ì àv.ˆÌÌà@    ÖÖ! ì àTogo€D.€West,€Jr.,ˆÌà@    PP ì àActing€Secretary€of€Veterans€Affairs,€Appelleeóó.ˆÐ   	 ¬ü
   ÐÌÌà@    ‘
‘
 ì àOn€Appellant'ñ%ñsñ%ñ€Application€for€Attorney€Fees€and€ExpensesˆÌÌÌà@    MM ì à(Decided€ñ,ñ€€March€13,€1998ñ,ññ -ñ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ñ-ññ.ñÔ% €    Ôñ.ñ€€€)ˆÌÌÌÌÓ     Óà     àòòBarton€F.€Stichmanóó€and€òòStephanie€Foresteróó€were€on€the€pleadings€for€the€appellant.Ð   	 ¨ø   ÐÌà     àòòRobert€E.€Coyóó,€Acting€General€Counsel;€òòRon€Garvinóó,€Assistant€General€Counsel;€òòJoan€E.Ð   	 tÄ   ÐMoriartyóó,€Acting€Deputy€Assistant€General€Counsel;€andòò€Michele€Russell€Katinaóó€were€on€theÐ   	 Zª   Ðpleadings€for€the€appellee.ÌÌà     àBefore€KRAMER,€FARLEYñ&ñ,ñ&ñ€and€HOLDAWAY,€òòJudgesóó.Ð   	 \   ÐÌà     àÓ    €     ÓKRAMER,€òòJudgeóó:€Ô ‡  X¥‚ X  X X   Ô€Ô# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚Ó  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ ÔThe€appellant€appealed€a€January€20,€1995,€decision€of€the€Board€ofÐ   	 Ø(   ÐVeterans'€Appeals€(Board€or€BVA)€denying€reimbursement€or€payment€of€the€costs€of€privateÏhospital€care€that€he€incurred€in€March€1990Ô# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ Ô€as€a€consequence€of€not€being€provided€medicalÐ   	 ¨ ø    Ðtreatment€at€a€VA€facility.€€Subsequently,€the€parties€filed€a€joint€motion€to€dismiss€based€on€aÏsettlement€agreement.€€On€February€12,€1997,€the€Court€granted€the€joint€motion.€€Issues€withÏrespect€to€the€appellant's€application€for€attorney€fees€and€expenses€under€the€Equal€Access€toÏJustice€Act€(EAJA),€28U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)Ô# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚6  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ Ô€are€the€subject€of€this€opinion.€€For€the€reasons€set€forthÐ   	 H&˜!(   Ðbelow,€the€Court€will€grant€the€EAJA€application€in€part€and€deny€it€in€part.Ô# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ ÔÐ   	 °' #*   ÐÌà@    ii ì àòòI.€RELEVANT€BACKGROUNDóóˆÐ   	 €*Ð%.   ÐÔ# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚æ  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ Ôà     àDuring€the€merits€litigation€of€this€case,€the€appellant€was€represented€on€a€pro€bono€basisÐ   	 è+8'0   Ðby€Mary€Ellen€McCarthy,€who€was€Executive€Director€of€the€Nevada€Indian€Rural€Legal€Services,Ð    P- (2    ÐInc.€(NIRLS)€at€the€time€the€merits€litigation€reached€settlement.€€Prior€to€the€settlement,Ô# †  XÈ¿  X X X¥‚‚	  # ÔÔ ‡  X¥‚ X  X XÈ¿ Ô€Ms.Ð   	 °      ÐMcCarthy€consulted€with€Ronald€Abrams€and€Barton€F.€Stichman,€attorneysÐ   	 ]   Ðwith€the€National€Veterans€Legal€Services€Program€(NVLSP)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKØ
  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô,€regarding€certain€substantiveÐ   	 jº   Ðissues.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK´  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€€Mr.€Stichman€also€filed€an€amicus€curiae€brief€on€behalf€of€the€American€Legion€duringÐ   	 Ç   Ðthe€merits€litigation.€€On€February€12,€1997,€the€Court€granted€the€parties'€joint€motion€toÏdismiss€the€case,€which€was€based€upon€the€Secretary's€agreement€to€pay€the€appellant€certainÏmonies€claimed€by€the€appellant,€Joint€Motion€at€1Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK1  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô,Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÍ  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€and€issued€judgment€and€mandate.€€The€jointÐ   	 Þ.   Ðmotion€specifically€stated,€"This€is€not€a€confession€of€error[]€by€the€Secretary."€€òòIdóó.€at€2.Ð   	 ;‹	   Ðà     àOn€February€28,€1997,€Ms.€McCarthy€moved€to€withdraw€and€substitute€Mr.€StichmanÏas€counsel€for€the€appellant€on€the€grounds€that€she€had€recently€accepted€governmentÏemployment€and€could€no€longer€represent€the€appellant€because€of€the€resulting€conflict€ofÏinterest.€€The€motion,€which€was€granted€on€March€4,€1997,€included€a€letter€of€consent€fromÏthe€appellant€and€a€notice€of€appearance€by€Mr.€Stichman€as€the€appellant's€new€counsel.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€€ThatÐ   	 _   Ðletter€states:€"Effective€February€28,€1997,€I€hereby€consent€to€the€withdrawal€of€MARYÏELLEN€McCARTHY,€ESQ.,€[NIRLS],€as€my€attorney€in€this€matter.€€I€also€consent€to€theÏsubstitution€of€BARTON€F.€STICHMAN,€ESQ.,€[NVLSP],€.€.€.€as€my€new€legal€representativeÏin€this€matter."Ìà     àÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKÐ  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔOn€March€14,€1997,€30€days€after€the€motion€to€dismiss€was€granted€and€judgment€andÐ   	 à0"   Ðmandate€were€issued,€Mr.€Stichman€filed€an€EAJA€application€on€behalf€of€the€appellant.€€TheÏapplication€is€for€$17,826.42,€consisting€of:€$15,792.18Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKO  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€based€upon€124.25€hours€(atÐ   	 šê&   Ð$126.75/hour)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKŽ  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€for€Ms.€McCarthy's€workÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€and€$43.49Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKh  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€for€her€expenses€(work€1)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKµ  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô;€$317.85Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€basedÐ   	 ÷G(   Ðupon€2.5€hours€(at€$127.14/hour)€spent€by€NVLSP€attorneys€consulting€with€Ms.€McCarthyÏduring€the€substantive€litigation€(work€2)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK\  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô;€$572.13Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK:  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€based€upon€4.5€hours€(at€$127.14/hour)€spentÐ   	 ±",   Ðby€NVLSP€attorneys€prior€to€February€28,€1997,€preparing€the€EAJA€application€(work€3)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK…  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô;€andÐ   	 $^.   Ð$1,144.26Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK_  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€based€upon€9€hours€(at€$127.14/hour)€spent€by€NVLSP€attorneys€on€or€after€FebruaryÐ   	 k%» 0   Ð28,€1997,€preparing€the€EAJA€application€(work€4)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÄ  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô.€€Application€at€4„5.€€Subsequently,€theÐ   	 È&"2   ÐSecretary€filed€a€response,€the€appellant€filed€a€reply,€and€the€Secretary€filed€a€response€to€theÏappellant's€reply.Ìà     àÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKŸ  # ÔThe€Secretary's€response€averred€that€Ms.€McCarthy's€employer,€NIRLS,€had€been€dissolved.€Ð   	 ß*/&8   ÐThis€assertion€was€based€upon€one€telephone€call€to€the€(Nevada)€Legal€Services€StatewideÐ   	 <,Œ':   ÐAdvocacy€office€which€formerly€supported€NIRLS.€€Attachment€to€Secretary's€Response€at€2.€€InÏresponse€the€appellant€has€filed€sworn€declarations€by€Ms.€McCarthy,€Mr.€Stichman,€and€RussellÏS.€Nash€(current€president€of€the€board€of€directors€of€NIRLS)€that,€while€the€offices€of€NIRLS€haveÏbeen€closed€due€to€lack€of€funds,€NIRLS€has€not€been€dissolved€and€is€involved€in€fund€raising€inÏattempts€to€reopen€its€doors.€€The€affidavits€also€state€that€except€as€to€hours€involved€in€filing€theÏEAJA€application€and€two€and€one€half€hours€of€NVLSP€consultation€work€on€the€main€case,€anyÏaward€(representing€Ms.€McCarthy's€work€and€expenses)€would€be€turned€over€to€NIRLS€under€aÏpreviously€signed€fee€agreement€that€exists€but€is€not€of€record.€€Reply€to€Appellee's€Response€toÏAppellant's€Application€for€Attorney's€Fees€and€Expenses€at€Exhibits€A„C.€€The€Secretary's€responseÏto€the€appellant's€reply€does€not€take€issue€with€the€appellant's€assertions€of€fact.Ìà     àOn€December€10,€1997,€this€case€was€stayed€pending€the€outcome€in€Ô ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔòòMcNeely€v.€Goberóó,Ð   	 R¢   Ð__Vet.App.€__,€No.€95„1000€(Dec.€30,€1997)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKŽ  # Ô.Ð   	 ë;   ÐÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔÌÓ   ÓòòII.€EAJA€LAWóóÐ   	 á1   ÐÓ  ]   Óà     àThe€award€of€attorney€fees€to€an€eligible€litigant€is€governed€by€28€U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)(1)Ïwhich€states:ÌÓ      €  Óà8     àà    `	 à(A)€.€.€.€[A]€court€shall€award€to€a€prevailing€party€other€than€the€UnitedÏStates€fees€and€other€expenses€.€.€.€incurred€by€that€party€in€any€civil€action€.€..Ïbrought€by€or€against€the€United€States€in€any€court€having€jurisdiction€of€thatÏaction,€unless€the€court€finds€that€the€position€of€the€United€States€wasÏsubstantially€justified€or€that€òòspecial€circumstances€make€an€award€unjustóó.Ð    œì$ Ð Ð   ÐÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK=  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ôà8     àà    `	 à(B)€A€party€seeking€an€award€of€fees€and€other€expenses€shall,€withinÐ   	 ‡×%   Ðthirty€days€of€final€judgment€in€the€action,€submit€to€the€court€an€application€forÏfees€and€other€expenses€which€shows€[(1)]€that€the€party€is€a€prevailing€party€andÏ[(2)]€is€eligible€to€receive€an€award€under€this€subsection,€and€[(3)]€the€amountÏsought,€including€an€itemized€statement€from€any€attorney€...representing€orÏappearing€in€behalf€of€the€party€stating€the€actual€time€expended€and€the€rate€atÏwhich€fees€and€other€expenses€were€computed.€€[(4)]€The€party€shall€also€allegeÏthat€the€position€of€the€United€States€was€not€substantially€justified.Ð    Ð Ð   ÐÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK"  # ÔÓ   €        ÓòòIdóó.€(emphasis€added).Ô ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔÐ   	 Ï&"-   Ðà     àAs€to€requirement€1,€a€showing€that€an€appellant€is€a€"prevailing€party"€is€made€byÏasserting€such€status€and€by€demonstrating€how€it€was€attained€ð"ð€that€is,€that€the€appellant€hadÏâ
    
 âachieved€"some€of€the€benefit€sought€in€bringing€suit."€òò€Bazalo£€v.Brownóó,€9€¢Vet.App£.€304,€309Ð   	 æ*6&3   Ð(1996)€(en€banc)€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK>%  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô(òòquotingóó€òòShalalla€v.Schaeferóó,€113€S.Ct.€2625,€2632€(1993));€òòseeóó€òòalsoóóÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKï&  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€òòStillwellÐ   	 °      Ðâ
    
 âv.Brownóó,€6Vet.App.291,€300€(1994)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKŽ'  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô.€€As€to€requirement€2,€a€showing€that€an€appellant€is€aÐ   	 `   Ðparty€eligible€for€an€award€under€EAJA€means€a€statement€that€the€appellant's€net€worth€was€lessÏthan€$2,000,000€at€the€time€the€appeal€to€the€Court€was€filed€(28€U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)(2)(B)),€or,Ïalternatively,Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK#(  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKƒ)  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ôthe€referencing€of€a€favorable€in€forma€pauperis€ruling.€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÆ)  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€òòSeeóó€òò¢Bazalo£óó,€9€¢Vet.App£.Ð   	 *
z   Ðat€309.€€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKA*  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔAlthough€the€appellant€must€òòshowóó€that€he€is€a€prevailing€party€and€that€he€is€eligible€toÐ   	 ŠÚ
   Ðreceive€an€award,€as€to€requirement€4,€he€need€only€òòallegeóó€that€the€government's€position€is€notÐ   	 ê:   Ðsubstantially€justified.€òò€Seeóó€òòidóó.€at€310.€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÈ*  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€The€Court€in€òòBazaloóó€also€held€that€EAJA€requirementsÐ   	 Jš	   Ð1„4€are€jurisdictional.€€òòSeeóó€id.€at€308€(no€additional€analysis€relating€to€requirement€3€wasÐ   	 ªú
   Ðprovided).€€Once€a€proper€application€has€been€made,€"timely€pleadings€addressing€each€of€theÏrequirements€of€EAJA€may€be€amended€or€supplemented€as€deemed€necessary€by€the€Court€orÏthe€parties."€€òòIdóó.€at€310.Ð   	 Ä   Ðà     àIn€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK/,  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔòòShaw€v.Goberóó,€10Vet.App.€498,€506€(1997),Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK3.  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€the€Court€held€that,€because€an€EAJAÐ   	 $t   Ðclaim€belongs€to€the€appellant,€control€of€an€EAJA€litigation€may€not€be€ceded€to€an€attorney,Ïthough€ownership€of€an€EAJA€award€can€be.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK¦.  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€€In€the€recent€decision€in€òòMcNeelyóó,€the€Court€heldÐ   	 á1   Ðthat€an€attorney€who€has€not€filed€an€appearance€on€behalf€of€an€appellantÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKª/  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€in€full€complianceÐ   	 A‘   Ðwith€Rule€46(d)(1)€of€this€Court's€Rules€of€Practice€and€ProcedureÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK„0  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€cannot€file€a€valid€EAJAÐ   	 žî    Ðapplication.€òòSeeóó€òòU.S.€Vet.€App.€R.óó€46(d)(1);€òòMcNeelyóó,€__€Vet.App.€at€__,€slip€op.€at€2.€€ThisÐ   	 ûK"   Ðfollows€from€the€principle€that,€in€litigation,€an€attorney's€actions€are€relevant€only€insofar€asÏthey€are€on€behalf€of€a€client€represented€by€that€attorney.ÌÌòòÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK01  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔÓ   ÓIII.€ANALYSISóóÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKÈ2  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔÐ   	 r!Â*   ÐÓ  ç2   Óà     àÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK&3  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔJudgment€and€mandate€issued€on€February€12,€1997,€when€the€joint€motion€was€grantedÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK™3  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô.Ð   	 Ï",   ÐòòSeeóó€òòStillwellóó,€6€Vet.App.€at€300€(when€a€case€is€concluded€by€consent€of€both€parties,€judgmentÐ   	 ,$|.   Ðand€mandate€enter€immediately).€€The€appellant's€EAJA€application€was€filed€on€March€14,Ï1997,€within€30€days€after€the€entry€of€final€judgment.€€òòSeeóó€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK.4  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô28€U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)(1)(B)Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK¢5  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô.€€Thus,Ð   	 é&9"2   Ðthe€appellant's€application€was€timely.Ìà     àÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK 6  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔIn€response€to€the€EAJA€application,€the€Secretary€states€that€he€does€not€contest€theÐ   	 ¦)ö$6   Ðfollowing:€(1)€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK“6  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ôthat€the€"[a]ppellant€is€a€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKO7  # ÔÔ ‡  X¯ç  X  X X¯ç Ô'prevailing€party,'Ô# †  X¯ç  X  X X¯ç¬7  # Ô€pursuant€to€28U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)(2)(B)";Ð   	 +S&8   Ð(2)€that€the€Ô ‡  X¯ç  X  X X¯ç Ô"[a]ppellant's€net€worth€does€not€exceed€$2,000,000.00";€and€(3)€that€"[t]he€Secretary'sÐ   	 °      Ðposition€was€not€'substantially€justified'."€€Response€(Resp.)€at€1.€€However,€"[l]ack€of€jurisdictionÏñ &ñÔ% €    Ôñ&ñ'cannot€be€waived€and€jurisdiction€cannot€be€conferred€upon€a€federal€court€by€consent,€inaction€orÏstipulation'.Ô# †  X¯ç  X  X X¯çN8  # Ô"€òò€Johnson€v.Brownóó,€7Vet.App.25,€27€(1994)€(òòquotingóó€òòBasso€v.€Utah€Power€&€LightÐ   	 Ç   ÐCo.óó,€495€F.2d€906,€909€(10th€Cir.€1974)).€€Therefore,€the€Court€must€satisfy€itself€that€it€hasÐ   	 $
t   Ðjurisdiction€before€proceeding€to€the€merits€of€the€appellant's€EAJA€application.Ìà     àThe€Court€concludes€that€the€jurisdictional€requirements€are€satisfied.Ô ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK~;  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€As€to€requirement1,Ð   	 Þ.   Ðthat€the€appellant€show€thatÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKÁ;  # Ô€he€was€able€to€succeed€in€achieving€some€of€the€benefit€sought€inÐ   	 wÇ	   Ðbringing€the€suit,€the€appellant's€application€shows€that€the€appellant's€appeal€led€to€the€settlementÏagreement€that€awarded€him€a€portion€of€the€medical€expenses€for€which€he€was€seekingÏreimbursement.€€òòSee€Bazaloóó,€9Vet.App.at€309Ô ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK=  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€€As€to€requirement€2,€that€the€appellant€show€thatÐ   	 Ê   Ðhe€is€eligible€to€receive€an€EAJA€award,€he€has€done€so€byÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKÓ=  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€stating€his€net€worth€was€under€theÐ   	 c³   Ðrequisite€limit€at€the€time€the€appeal€was€filed€and€by€referencing€a€favorable€in€forma€pauperisÏruling.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óóÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XK—>  # Ô€€As€to€the€requirement€3,€that€the€appellant€provide€an€itemized€list€of€hours€spentÐ   	 m   Ðby€the€appellant's€attorney€in€preparing€the€merits€portion€of€this€case€and€expenses€so€incurredÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô,€theÐ   	 ¶   Ðappellant's€application€contains€such€a€list.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€310.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK[@  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€€Finally,€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKA  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ôas€to€requirement€4,Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKNA  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€thatÐ   	 OŸ   Ðthe€appellant€òòallegeóó€that€the€government's€position€is€not€substantially€justified,€the€appellant'sÐ   	 ¯ÿ    Ðapplication€makes€such€an€allegation.Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK¤A  # Ô€€òòSeeóó€òòidóó.Ð   	 _"   ÐÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ôà     àThe€Court€notes€that€once€the€appellant€has€satisfied€requirement€4,€the€burden€shifts€toÐ   	 ¨ø$   Ðthe€Secretary€to€prove€substantial€justification.€€òòIdóó.€at€309€(citing€cases).€€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÍB  # ÔÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç ÔAlthough€in€theÐ   	  U&   Ðsettlement€agreement€the€parties€agreed€that€the€Secretary€was€not€confessing€error€on€his€partÏ(Joint€Motion€at€2),€the€Secretary's€response€to€the€appellant's€application€explicitly€does€notÏcontest€the€appellant's€allegation€(Resp.€at€1,€4).€€Therefore,€the€Court€has€no€basis€for€inquiringÏas€to€whether€the€Secretary's€position€was€substantially€justified.€€òòSeeóó€òòShawóó,€10€Vet.App.€at€501;Ð   	 |%Ì .   ÐòòMarch€v.Brownóó,€7Vet.App.€163,€169€(1994);€òòCook€v.Brownóó,€6Vet.App.€226,€237€(1994).Ð   	 Ü&,"0   ÐÔ# †  X¯ç  X X XKÞC  # Ôà     àThe€Secretary€originally€asserted€that€special€circumstances€exist€in€this€case€because€NIRLSÐ   	 <(Œ#2   Ðhad€been€dissolved€and€that,€therefore,€any€EAJA€award€would€be€retained€either€by€the€appellantÏor€by€NVLSP,€which€did€no€work€on€the€appellant's€behalf€during€the€merits€portion€of€this€case.€Ð   	 ö*F&6   ÐIn€light€of€the€affidavits€submitted€by€the€appellant€that€NIRLS€does€still€exist,€even€though€it€is€notÏcurrently€operating,€the€Secretary€now€asserts€that€the€appellant's€application€is€defective€becauseÏpresentation€of€the€affidavits€was€a€jurisdictional€prerequisite€that€necessitated€presentation€withinÏ30€days€after€mandate€and€cannot€be€presented€by€amending€the€application€after€such€period.€€TheÏCourt€disagrees.€€Special€circumstances€are€not€referenced€anywhere€in€28€U.S.C.€ðð€2412(d)(1)(B),Ïwhich,€as€the€Court€held€in€òòBazaloóó,€defines€the€jurisdictional€content€requirements€of€a€valid€EAJAÐ   	 Ñ
   Ðapplication.€€While€òòGrivois€v.Brownóó,€7Vet.App.100,€101€(1994),€holds€that€a€seriously€defectiveÐ   	 Þ.   ÐEAJA€application€may€not€be€amended€out€of€time,€òòBazaloóó€notes€that€once€a€proper€application€hasÐ   	 ;‹	   Ðbeen€made,€"timely€pleadings€addressing€each€of€the€requirements€of€EAJA€may€be€amended€orÏsupplemented€as€deemed€necessary€by€the€Court€or€the€parties."€€òòBazaloóó,€9€Vet.App.€at€310.€Ð   	 õE   ÐFurthermore,€plaintiffs€generally€are€not€required€to€anticipate€and€plead€facts€sufficient€to€overñ &ñÔ% €
    Ôñ&ñcomeÏan€affirmative€defense.€€òòSee€e.g.,óó€òòGomez€v.€Toledoóó,€446€U.S.€635,€640€(1980)€(plaintiff€need€notÐ   	 ¯ÿ   Ðplead€and€refute€defendant's€qualified€immunity€in€civil€rights€case);€òòGustafson€v.€Jonesóó,€117€F.3dÐ   	 \   Ð1015,€1019€(7th€Cir.€1997)€(plaintiff€need€not€anticipate€and€refute€allegation€that€his€speech€wasÏnot€protected).€€Although€the€Court€has€not€specifically€held€that€an€allegation€of€specialÏcircumstances€is€an€affirmative€defense,€we€have€held€that€the€burden€is€on€the€Secretary€to€raiseÏspecial€circumstances€in€his€pleadings€(òòseeóó€òòElcyzn€v.€Brownóó,€7Vet.App.€170,€174„75€(1994)€(statingÐ   	 €Ð    Ðthat,€because€Secretary€does€not€assert€special€circumstances€under€28€U.S.C.€ðð2412(d)(1)(A),€onlyÏissue€in€dispute€is€whether€Secretary's€position€was€substantially€justified))€and€to€prove€specialÏcircumstances€(òòsee€Doria€v.€Brownóó,€8Vet.App.157,€163€(1995)).€€Thus,€an€EAJA€application€cannotÐ   	 —ç&   Ðbe€defective€for€failing€to€anticipate€and€refute€during€the€30„day€jurisdictional€filing€period€aÏspecial-circumstances€argument.€€The€Court€holds€that€the€application€is€not€defective.Ìà     àAlthough€the€Secretary€appears€now€to€assert€special€circumstances€based€only€upon€aÏdefective€application,€we€will€assume€that€the€Secretary€generally€is€asserting€the€existence€ofÏspecial€circumstances€which€make€it€inequitable€to€grant€an€award.€€The€Court€will€consider€suchÏcircumstances€as€they€relate€specifically€to€work€1„4,€delineated€above.€€In€this€regard,€the€CourtÏnotes€the€line€of€precedent€the€Secretary€cites€for€the€proposition€that€EAJA€awards€should€notÏbecome€a€windfall€for€persons€other€than€the€attorney€or€organization€representing€the€plaintiff€inÏan€action€against€the€federal€government.€€òòSeeóó,òò€e.g.óó,€òòKay€v.€Ehrleróó,€499U.S.€432,€437„38,€(1991)Ð   	 Ü*,&8   Ð(holding€that€pro€se€litigant€may€not€receive€attorney€fees€under€42€U.S.C.€ðð1988);€òòMarchóó,Ð   	 9,‰':   Ð7Vet.App.at€168€(holding€that€pro€se€litigant€may€not€receive€attorney€fees€under€EAJA);€òòHairstonÐ   	 °      Ðv.€R&R€Apartmentsóó,€510€F.2d€1090,€1093€(7th€Cir.€1975)€(holding€that€to€avoid€a€windfall€toÐ   	 ]   Ðplaintiff€represented€on€pro€bono€basis,€"the€grant€of€fees€should€go€directly€to€the€organizationÏproviding€the€services."€(citing€cases)).€€òòBut€cf.€Venegas€v.€Mitchellóó,€495€U.S.€82,€88€(1990)€(underÐ   	 Ç   Ðattorney€fees€provisions€of€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1988,€"statutory€award€of€fees€can€coexist€with€private€feeÏarrangements").Ìà     àAs€to€work€1,€the€Court€first€notes€that€it€would€not€be€a€windfall€for€NIRLS€to€receive€anÏEAJA€award€for€work€it€did€during€the€merits€litigation.€€The€Secretary€has€cited€no€precedent,€andÏthe€Court€is€aware€of€none,€that€suggests€that€NIRLS'€limited€operating€situation€precludes€its€receiptÏof€an€EAJA€award,€nor€does€the€Secretary€offer€an€explanation€as€to€why€such€an€award€would€beÏunjust.€€This€doesññ€ññnñ  ñ'ñ ññ!ñoñ!ñt€end€the€inquiry,€however,€as€to€any€NIRLS€receipt€of€an€award.€€NIRLS,Ïthrough€its€attorneys,€is€no€longer€representing€the€appellant,€thus€raising€the€question€of€whetherÏNVLSP€can€file€an€EAJA€application€on€behalf€of€another.€€òòShawóó€controls€the€answer.€€Because€"theÐ   	 \   Ðlaw€gives€the€EAJA€cause€of€action€and€standing€to€the€client,€not€the€attorney,"€òòShawóó,€10Vet.App.Ð   	 i¹   Ðat€506,€it€does€not€matter€which€attorney€files€an€EAJA€application,€so€long€as€an€appearance€by€thatÏattorney€was€properly€filed€prior€to€such€filing,€òòcf.€McNeelyóó,€òòsupraóó.€€In€this€case,€we€haveÐ   	 #s   Ðcontemporaneous€filings€indicating€that€Ms.€McCarthy€was€withdrawing€as€the€appellant's€counsel,Ïthat€Mr.€Stichman€was€making€an€appearance€as€the€appellant's€new€counsel,€and€that€the€appellantÏconsented€to€this€substitution.€€Therefore,€Mr.€Stichman€was€empowered€to€file€an€EAJA€applicationÏon€the€appellant's€behalf.€€This€is€not€to€say,€however,€that€a€successor€attorney€could€òòretainóó€anÐ   	 —ç&   ÐEAJA€award€based€upon€work€done€by€a€predecessor€attorney.€€òòSeeóó€òòHairstonóó,€òòsupraóó.€€That€is€anÐ   	 ôD(   Ðissue,€based€upon€the€appellant's€uncontested,€sworn€affidavits,€which€is€not€presented€here.€ÏTherefore,€the€Court€will€grant€the€application€as€it€pertains€to€work€1.Ìà     àAs€to€works€2„4,€the€Secretary€argues€that€certain€hours€claimed€in€the€EAJA€application€areÏduplicative›€œand€that€the€13.5›€hours€claimed€for€NVLSP's€work€in€preparing€the€EAJA€applicationÏœare›€œexcessive›€in€light€of€the€number€of€EAJA€applications€NVLSP€files€and€their€boilerplate€œnature.€ÏAs€to€work€2€and€3,€however,€the€Court€must€deny€the€application€for€another€reason.€€In€examiningÏthe€fees€requested€by€NVLSP€lawyers€as€to€such€work,€the€Court€must€begin€with€òòMcNeelyóó,Ô ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€whichÐ   	 )Ï$6   Ðrecognizes€the€principle€that,€in€litigation,€an€attorney's€actions€are€relevant€only€insofar€as€theyÐ   	 +h&8   Ðare€on€behalf€of€a€client€represented€by€that€attorney.€€From€this€proposition,€òòMcNeelyóó€concludesÐ   	 °      Ðthat€papers€filed€by€an€attorney,€Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XKÍ_  # Ôincluding€EAJA€applications,€are€without€effect€if€the€attorney€hasÐ   	 `   Ðnot€previously€filed€an€appearance€with€the€Court€formally€announcing€the€attorney's€relationshipÏwith€the€appellant.€€A€corresponding€principle€is€that€only€work€done€by€an€attorney€on€behalf€of€aÐ   	 	V   Ðòòclient€óócan€be€the€subject€of€an€EAJA€award.€€òòSeeóóÔ ‡  XK X  X X¯ç Ô€òòMiller€v.Amusement€Enterprises,€Inc.óó,€426€F.2dÐ   	 c
³   Ð534,€538€(5th€Cir.€1970)€(in€order€to€grant€an€EAJA€application€"what€.€.€.€is€required€is€theÏexistence€of€a€relationship€of€attorney€and€client").Ô# †  X¯ç  X X XK°b  # Ô€€At€the€risk€of€redundancy,€we€shall€restateÐ   	 Y©   Ðthese€two€rules.€€First,€an€EAJA€application€is€not€valid€and€cannot€be€recognized€by€the€Court€if€theÏattorney€filing€it€has€not€filed€an€appearance€with€the€Court.€€òòSeeóó€òòMcNeelyóó,€òòsupraóó.€€Second,€workÐ   	 OŸ   Ðdone€by€an€attorney€is€ñ(ñÔ% €    Ôñ(ññ 'ñonly€ñ'ñcompensable€under€the€EAJA€only€if€the€attorney€has€been€empowered€byÏan€agreement„„which€creates€an€attorney„client€relationship„„to€do€work€on€behalf€of€the€appellant.Ìà     àIn€this€case€Mr.€Stichman€filed€an€appearance€as€the€appellant's€attorney€before€he€filed€anÏEAJA€application€on€the€appellant's€behalf,€thereby€satisfying€the€first€rule.€€However,€the€consentÏform€signed€by€the€appellant€makes€clear€that€Mr.€Stichman€was€òòsubstitutedóó€for€Ms.€McCarthyÐ   	  p   Ðòòeffective€February€28,€1997óó.€€As€to€the€second€rule,€there€was€no€attorney„client€relationship€thatÐ   	 }Í   Ðempowered€Mr.€Stichman€or€NVLSP€to€do€work€on€behalf€of€the€appellant€before€February€28,Ï1997.€€Consequently,€because€no€attorney„client€relationship€existed€between€the€appellant€andÏNVLSP€before€February€28,€1997,€any€work€that€NVLSP€did€on€the€appellant's€case€before€that€dateÏis€not€compensable,€whereas€any€work€done€thereafter€may€be€the€subject€of€an€EAJA€award.€€TheÏrequest€for€2.5€hours€spent€by€NVLSP€attorneys€consulting€with€Ms.€McCarthy€during€the€meritsÏlitigation€(work€2)€must€be€denied,€as€well€as€4.5€hours€spent€preparing€the€EAJA€application€(workÏ3),€because€both€work€2€and€work€3€predated€the€existence€of€an€attorney„client€relationship.€€òòSeeóóÐ   	 "X*   ÐòòMilleróó,€òòsupraóó.€€As€to€the€9€hours€spent€on€or€after€February€28,€1997,€by€NVLSP€lawyers€preparingÐ   	 e#µ,   Ðthe€EAJA€application€(work€4),€we€find€that€9€hours€to€prepare€an€EAJA€application€is€not€excessiveÏin€this€case€considering€that€NVLSP€did€not€represent€the€appellant€in€the€merits€of€this€litigation.€ÏTherefore,€the€Court€will€grant€the€application€as€it€pertains€to€work€4.Ìñ )ñÌñ)ñòòÓ   Óñ )ññ"ñÌñ"ññ)ññ*ñÌñ*ññ+ñÔ% €    Ôñ+ññ $ññ#ñÔ% €    Ôñ#ññ$ññ (ññ$ñÔ% €    Ôñ$ññ(ñIV.›€œCONCLUSIONóó›Ð   	 8*ˆ%6   ÐÓ  l   Óà     àUpon€consideration€of€the€foregoing€analysis€and€the€pleadings€of€the€œparties,€the€stayÐ   	 —+ç&8   Ðentered€on€December€10,€1997,€is€dissolved€and€›the€appellant's€application€for€reasonable€attorneyÏœfees€and€expenses›€œunder€the›€œEAJA›€is€œGRANTED€in›€an€amount€of€œ$16,936.44.›€€œThe€application€isÏotherwise›€œDENIED.Ó       €  Óñ !ñòòóóòòóóòòóóñ!ñ›