Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06680/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06680-13/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EON WALDEN, AND COREY VICTOR, CASE NO. CV-F-04-6680 LJO DLB

by JUMOKE WALDEN, guardian,

Plaintiffs, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON

PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF MINOR’S

vs. COMPROMISE

(Doc. 94.)

JANE MOFFETT, et. al.,

Defendants.

 /

INTRODUCTION

This 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action arising from the alleged deprivation of minor plaintiff Corey

Victor’s (“Corey”) constitutional and statutory rights, was filed by Corey and his guardian ad litem

Jumoke Walden (“Petitioner”) and Eon Walden, Corey’s maternal grandmother (collectively

“plaintiffs”). Plaintiffs seek this Court’s approval of a $15,000.00 compromise settlement for Corey for

his claims against defendants Modesto City Schools, Jane Moffett, Marie Lagos, James Enochs and Jim

Pfaff (collectively “defendants”). The Court held a hearing on the Petition for Minor’s Compromise

on September 14, 2007. Appearing on behalf of Petitioner and Coreywas AttorneyRandall Richmond.

Attorney William Littlewood appeared on behalf of defendants. For the reasons discussed below, this

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Court RECOMMENDS to GRANT the petition.

BACKGROUND

Among other allegations, the amended complaint alleges that Corey, who is African American

and a member of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, was subjected to various forms of racial and religious

discrimination while attending Sonora Elementary School from Kindergarten to fourth grade. Sonora

Elementary school is part of defendant Modesto City Schools by which the individual defendants are

employed as teachers and/or administrators. It is further alleged that defendants failed to put an end to

alleged maltreatment of Corey and that fearing for Corey’s physical and emotional safety, plaintiffs were

forced to relocate outside of the Modesto City Schools district. Plaintiffs allege that Corey suffered

physical and emotional distress inflicted by defendants, which resulted in him being fearful of attending

Sonoma Elementary School. 

The claims to be compromised include: (1) First Amendment Rights of Religious Freedom; (2)

Due Process; (3) Equal Protection; (4)the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) right to a Free and Appropriate

Public Education; and (6) Equal Education Opportunity Act of 1974. Plaintiffs sought general damages,

compensatory damages, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. 

The parties pursued settlement discussions and have reached a mutually agreeable settlement

which includes payments by defendants of $15,000.000 to each Corey and Eon Walden. On April 12,

2007, defendants deposited $15,0000.00 in two (2) separate joint custodial accounts at San Mateo Credit

Union in the names of Corey as primary member and Petitioner as joint owner. The two (2) accounts

include a five-year certificate of deposit in the amount of $13,000.00 (account no. 465754-30) and a

regular savings account in the amount of $1,999.00 (account no. 465754-00). The latter account deposit

reflects a deduction of $1.00 representing the fee to establish a regular savings account. San Mateo

Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

On May 30, 2007, the Court ordered Petitioner to obtain counsel to represent Corey in the

proposed compromise. 

Attorney Randall Richmond filed a designation on June 29, 2007 and thereafter has assisted

Petitioner in the preparation of the Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise. Petitioner requests

approval of attorneys fees in the amount of $1,650.00 to be paid from Corey’s settlement proceeds. The

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net proceeds to Corey will be $13,349.00 

DISCUSSION

This Court’s Local Rule 17-202 addresses settlementsfor minors and provides in pertinent part:

(b) Settlement. No claim by . . . a minor . . . may be settled or compromised

absent court order by the assigned Judge or Magistrate Judge approving the settlement

or compromise.

. . .

(2) Such application [for minor’s compromise] shall disclose, among

other things, the age and sex of the minor . . . , the nature of the causes of action to be

settled or compromised, the facts and circumstances out of which the causes of action

arose, including the time, place and persons involved, the manner in which the

compromise amount or other consideration was determined, including such additional

information as may be required to enable the Court to determine the fairness of the

settlement or compromise . . .

. . .

(c) Disclosure of Attorney’s Interest. When the minor . . . is represented by an

attorney, it shall be disclosed to the Court by whom and the terms under which the

attorney was employed . . . and whether the attorney has received or expects to receive

any compensation, from whom, and the amount.

. . .

(e) Payment of Judgment. Whenever money . . . is recovered on behalf of a

minor . . . the money . . . will be (1) disbursed to the representative pursuant to state law

upon a showing that he is the duly qualified representative under state law, (2) disbursed

otherwise pursuant to state law, or (3) disbursed pursuant to such other order as the Court

deems proper for the protection of the minor . . .

F.R.Civ.P. 17(c) empowers a district court to make such “order as it deems proper for the

protection” of a minor. “Federal courts generally require that claims by minors . . . be settled in

accordance with applicable state law. California law requires court approval of the fairness and terms

of the settlement.” 2 Schwarzer, Tashima & Wagstaffe, California Practice Guide, Federal Procedure

Before Trial (2002) Pretrial Conference and Settlement Procedures, para. 15:138, p. 15-42 (emphasis

in original). A settlement for a minor and attorney fees to represent a minor must be approved by the

court. Cal. Prob. Code, § 3601; Cal. Fam. Code, § 6602. Reasonable expenses and court costs to be

paid out of the settlement also must be approved by the court. Cal. Prob. Code, § 3601. A leading

California practice guide observes:

Courts vary in their fee approval policies. All will consider the time expended

and the complexity of the case. But, in contingency fee cases, most courts require a

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showing of “good cause” to award more than 25% of any recovery. [Citations omitted.]

Attorneys who believe their work deserves a fee higher than that usually approved

must be prepared to demonstrate this to the judge.

2 Weil & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide, Civil Procedure Before Trial (2002) Settlement Procedures, paras.

12:576 and 12:577, p. 12(II)-14.

The Petition substantially includes the information required by this Court’s Local Rule 17-

202(b)(2) and (c) to address the details of the proposed compromise. The $13,349.00 portion for Corey

is reasonable based on Mr. Richmond’s analysis; the conduct to which he was subjected; the

responsibility for the incidents; the nature and extent of injuries; and the benefit and relief resulting from

a resolution of this matter. 

Good cause has been shown for the requested $1,650.00 attorneys’ fees. The representation in

this case was limited to the preparation of the Petition for Minor’s Compromise. Corey’s $13,349.00

share should appropriately be deposited in a federally insured blocked account and not withdrawn

without a court order or until Corey reaches the age of majority.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

For the reasons discussed above, this Court RECOMMENDS to:

1. GRANT the Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise;

2. ORDER Armando’s $13,349.00 share to be deposited into a federally insured blocked

account and not withdrawn without a court order or until Corey reaches the age of

majority; and

3. PERMIT $1,650.00 attorney’s fees for counsel, Randall Richmond.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to United States District Judge Lawrence J.

O’Neill, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and this Court’s Local Rule 72-304. This Court sets no

deadlines to object to these findings and recommendations because the parties agree to the above terms

for Armando’s portion of settlement.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: September 20, 2007 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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