Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00538/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00538-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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BISH LAW

22505 Market St, Ste 104

Newhall, CA 91321

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

ROGER CANTU, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

KINGS COUNTY; et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:20-cv-00538-NONE-SAB

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

(ECF No. 2)

Roger Cantu, Linda Brown, and G.C, a minor, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. § 1983 on April 15, 2020. Along with the complaint, a petition was filed seeking to have 

Maryzol Jones, G.C.’s mother, appointed to act as guardian ad litem in the matter. 

Pursuant to Rule 17 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a representative of an 

incompetent person may sue or defend on the incompetent person’s behalf. Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c). 

This requires the Court to take whatever measures it deems appropriate to protect the interests of the 

individual during the litigation. United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situated in 

Klickitat Cty., State of Wash., 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir. 1986). The appointment of the guardian 

ad litem is more than a mere formality. Id. “A guardian ad litem is authorized to act on behalf of his 

ward and may make all appropriate decisions in the course of specific litigation.” Id. A guardian ad 

litem need not possess any special qualifications, but he must “be truly dedicated to the best interests 

of the person on whose behalf he seeks to litigate.” AT&T Mobility, LLC v. Yeager, 143 F.Supp.3d 

1042, 9 (E.D. Cal. 2015). This means that the guardian ad litem cannot face an impermissible conflict 

of interest with the ward and courts consider the candidate’s “experience, objectivity, and expertise” 

Case 1:20-cv-00538-JLT-SAB Document 5 Filed 04/16/20 Page 1 of 2
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or previous relationship with the ward. Id. (citations omitted). 

“[W]hen a parent brings an action on behalf of a child, and it is evident that the interests of 

each are the same, no need exists for someone other than the parent to represent the child’s interests 

under Rule 17(c).” Gonzalez v. Reno, 86 F.Supp.2d 1167, 1185 (S.D. Fla.), aff’d sub nom. Gonzalez 

v. Reno, 212 F.3d 1338 (11th Cir. 2000). While a parent is generally appointed as a guardian ad 

litem, there are situations where the best interests of the minor and the interests of the parent conflict. 

Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, No. 1:06-CV-01165 AWINEW, 2007 WL 1390672, at *2 (E.D. Cal. 

May 9, 2007). Therefore, a parent is not entitled as a matter of right to act as guardian ad litem for 

the child. Id., at *2. 

The Court has considered the petition of Maryzol Jones for appointment as guardian ad litem 

for G.C. who is a minor plaintiff in this action and finds no conflict that would preclude her serving 

as a guardian ad litem for G.C. The Court finds that the appointment is both necessary and 

appropriate. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that Maryzol Jones is appointed as Guardian Ad 

Litem for G.C.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 16, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-00538-JLT-SAB Document 5 Filed 04/16/20 Page 2 of 2