Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05189/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05189-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TEVITA L. NAUFAHU; 

Father/Grandfather; KASITALEA GUS

NAUFAHU; Father/Parent; LUISA A. P.

NAUFAHU; Wife/Parent; DAVID L.

NAUFAHU; minor son; GEORGE L.

NAUFAHU; minor son,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF SAN MATEO, et al.

Defendants. /

No. C 07-5189 MMC

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD

LITEM; DEFERRING RULING ON

PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT;

DIRECTIONS TO PETITIONER

Before the Court are the "Petition and Consent for Appointment of Guardian Ad

Litem" and "Petition for Approval of Settlement Agreement," each filed April 29, 2008. By

the former petition, plaintiff Luisa A. P. Naufahu ("petitioner") seeks to be appointed

guardian ad litem for plaintiffs David L. Naufahu and George L. Naufahu, each of whom is

the minor child of petitioner; upon consideration of the papers filed in support of such

request, the Petition for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem will be granted.

At present, however, petitioner is appearing pro se and, consequently, she may not,

either as a parent or a guardian, represent her minor children in the action. See Johns v.

County of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 877 (9th Cir. 1997) (holding "a parent or guardian

Case 3:07-cv-05189-MMC Document 25 Filed 05/21/08 Page 1 of 2
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cannot bring an action on behalf of a minor child without retaining a lawyer"). In order to

pursue the claims brought on behalf of the minor plaintiffs, petitioner must either obtain

counsel, or request referral to the Federal Pro Bono Project for the purpose of having

volunteer counsel appointed.

Accordingly:

1. The Court hereby GRANTS the Petition for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem

and hereby appoints Luisa A. P. Naufahu as Guardian Ad Litem for David L. Naufahu and

George L. Naufahu. 

2. The Court hereby DEFERS ruling on the Petition for Approval of Settlement

Agreement to afford petitioner the opportunity to either obtain counsel or request referral to

the Federal Pro Bono Project. 

3. Petitioner is hereby DIRECTED to file, no later than June 6, 2008, a status report

advising the Court as to which of said options petitioner has elected. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 21, 2008 

MAXINE M. CHESNEY

United States District Judge

Case 3:07-cv-05189-MMC Document 25 Filed 05/21/08 Page 2 of 2