Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01003/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01003-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PEGGY RED and SUSAN WEISS CASE NO. 1:06-cv-1003 AWI GSA

on behalf of her minor child ALISON

JOHNSON,

ORDER REGARDING PETITION

Plaintiff, FOR MINOR’S COMPROMISE

vs.

ORDER APPOINTING GUARDIAN AD

LITEM

MERCED COUNTY, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff Alison Johnson is a minor in this action (“minor”). On March 3, 2008, a settlement

conference was held and the case settled. At the settlement conference, the parties verbally

consented to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction. The parties were directed to file their written consents by

March 21, 2008. On March 7, 2008, Defendants submitted the necessary consent forms. To date,

Plaintiff has not filed a written consent. Accordingly, Plaintiff shall file the signed consent forms

within ten days of this order so that this court has jurisdiction to adjudicate this case.

At the settlement conference, Plaintiff was also ordered to file an application to appoint a

guardian ad litem and a petition for minor’s compromise by March 21, 2008. On March 25, 2008,

Case 1:06-cv-01003-GSA Document 23 Filed 04/04/08 Page 1 of 4
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Plaintiff filed an application to appoint Susan Weiss as the guardian ad litem for the minor. After

reviewing the application, the court finds that appointment of a guardian ad litem is necessary. The

court further finds that Susan Weiss, the mother of the minor, shall be appointed as the minor’s

guardian ad litem. 

On March 25, 2008, Plaintiff also filed a “Motion for Approval of the Proposed Settlement

Amount.” This court’s Local Rule 17-202 addresses settlements for 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) The approval of a proposed settlement shall be filed and calendared

pursuant to L.R. 78-230. Such application 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 ...1

(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, whether the attorney became involved in the application at

the instance of the party against whom the causes of action are asserted directly or

indirectly, whether the attorney stands in any relationship to said party, 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

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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.

In this case, Plaintiff’s attorney, William Simpich, is requesting that he be awarded 25% of

the $20,000 settlement amount for attorney fees. However, Mr. Simpich, has not submitted any

other information related to the services he has provided to the plaintiff that would enable the court

to determine whether this is an appropriate amount of attorney fees in this case. Moreover,

Plaintiff’s attorney has not complied with the Local Rule 17-202 (c) which requires a disclosure of

the terms under which the attorney was employed, whether the attorney became involved in the

application at the instance of the party against whom the causes of action are asserted directly or

indirectly, and whether the attorney stands in any relationship to said party. As such, the attorney

needs to provide an amended petition for minor’s compromise which includes the Local Rule 17-202

(c) requirements, as well as a declaration outlining the basis of the fees, a summary of the services

provided in this case, with an itemization of what, if any, costs are being sought to charged against

the minor’s settlement amount. The court will determine whether further hearing on the petition is

needed once amended petition is received.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that :

1. Plaintiff’s application to appoint Susan Weiss as guardian ad litem is GRANTED. 

Accordingly, Susan Weiss is hereby appointed as guardian ad litem for minor plaintiff Alison

Johnson;

2. The minor’s attorney shall submit an amended application for minor’s compromise in

accordance with requirements of Local Rule 17-202(b)(2) and (c) within ten days of this order. The

petition shall include a disclosure of the terms under which the attorney was employed, whether the

attorney became involved in the application at the instance of the party against whom the causes of

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action are asserted directly or indirectly, and whether the attorney stands in any relationship to said

party. In addition, the petition shall include a declaration outlining the basis of the fees, a summary

of the services provided in this case, with an itemization of what, if any, costs are being sought to

charged against the minor’s settlement amount; and

3. Plaintiff’s attorney shall file the appropriate forms consenting to Magistrate Judge

jurisdiction within ten days of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: April 3, 2008 Gary S. Austin

The Honorable Gary S. Austin

United States Magistrate Judge

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