Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-01246/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-01246-0/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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Mallard v. Clearlake

Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LOUETTTA MALLARD, Individually, and ) CASE # C 04 1246 MMC

BRUCE WELLS, A Minor, By And Through )

His Guardin ad Litem, LOUETTTA )

MALLARD, )

) PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF

Plaintiffs, ) MINOR’S COMPROMISE

)

vs. )

)

)

CITY OF CLEARLAKE, CALIFORNIA, ROBERT )

MCDONALD and DOES I through XXX, )

inclusive, )

)

Defendants. )

Comes now LOUETTA MALLARD, hereinafter “Petitioner,” and declares, under penalty of

perjury, as follows::

1. Petitioner is the mother and guardian ad litem of BRUCE WELLS, a minor child, and

responsible for the care and custody of said minor, born on June 21, 1988.

Richard J. Massa, SB#44292

MASSA & ASSOCIATES

101 South Main Street, Ste. A

Lakeport, CA 95453

(707) 262-0230

FAX 707-262-1028

Attorneys for Plaintiffs Louetta Mallard & Bruce Wells

ORDER APPROVING

Case 3:04-cv-01246-MMC Document 32 Filed 07/11/05 Page 1 of 3
Mallard v. Clearlake

Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise

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2. BRUCE WELLS is one of the plaintiffs in the above-titled civil rights action which

alleges, generally, that on April 15, 2003, defendants violated plaintiffs’ 4th Amendment civil

rights by unlawfully shooting and wounding the family dog, DOSHA.

3. As a result of said civil rights violation, BRUCE WELLS sustained emotional distress

from which he has fully recovered.

4. PROPOSED MINOR’S COMPROMISE: Defendants have offered the sum of $10,000 as

and for a final compromise and settlement of the claim of BRUCE WELLS, a minor, in this matter.

Petitioner has agreed to this compromise and requests that it be approved by the Court.

Petitioner, upon the advice of counsel, believes that the proposed minor’s compromise, if

approved, will be in the best interest of all parties hereto, including the minor, BRUCE WELLS.

Defendants have also offered to settle the individual claim of Petitioner for the sum of $14,000,

and she has agreed to be responsible for and pay BRUCE WELLS’ share of the costs of prosecution

of this matter.

5. Attorney’s Fees: The law offices of Richard J. Massa have spent time and effort

undertaking an investigation, conducting factual and legal research, preparing pleadings, attending

court, obtaining records, attending depositions, and persuasively negotiating the settlement.

Petitioner therefore requests that Richard J. Massa be allowed as attorney’s fee of $2,500, i. e.,

25% of the proposed compromise and settlement of $10,000 for the claim of BRUCE WELLS..

6. MINOR’S NET PORTION: The minor’s portion of the gross settlement of $10,000,

after deduction of attorney’s fees of $2,500--to wit, $7,500--is to be placed in an interest-bearing

trust account at Lake Community Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, California, 95453, an FDIC

insured institution, for the benefit of BRUCE WELLS, subject to withdrawal only upon presentation

of proof of identity and attainment of majority by BRUCE WELLS or further order of court..

WHEREFORE , Petitioner prays for an Order as follows:

1. Approving the Proposed Minor’s Compromise and directing payment of the sum

of $2,500 as and for attorney’s fees to attorney Richard J. Massa. for legal services rendered on

behalf of BRUCE WELLS..

Case 3:04-cv-01246-MMC Document 32 Filed 07/11/05 Page 2 of 3
Mallard v. Clearlake

Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise

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2. Directing that the minor’s portion of the gross settlement of $10,000, after

deduction of attorney’s fees of $2,500--to wit, $7,500--is to be placed in an interest-bearing trust

account at Lake Community Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, California, 95453, an FDIC

insured institution, for the benefit of BRUCE WELLS, subject to withdrawal only upon presentation

of proof of identity and attainment of majority by BRUCE WELLS or further order of court.

I, Louetta Mallard, declare under penalty of perjury and the laws of the state of

‘California, that the foregoing is true and correct.

Dated: July 7, 2005 _____________/s/__________________

Louetta Mallard, Guardian Ad Litem for

Approved: /s/ Bruce Wells

Richard J. Massa, Esq.

ORDER

Good cause appearing, it is hereby ordered that:

1. The above proposed minor’s compromise of $10,000 and attorneys fee of $2,500

(25%) to Richard Massa, attorney for Bruce Wells, are approved .

2. The minor’s portion of the gross settlement of $10,000, after deduction of

attorney’s fees of $2,500--to wit, $7,500--is to be placed in an interest-bearing trust

account at Lake Community Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, California, 95453, an FDIC

insured institution, for the benefit of BRUCE WELLS, subject to withdrawal only (1) upon

presentation of proof of identity and attainment of majority by BRUCE WELLS or (2) further

order of court.

Dated: July , 2005.

Maxine M. Chesney

United states District Judge

11 /s/ Maxine M. Chesney

Case 3:04-cv-01246-MMC Document 32 Filed 07/11/05 Page 3 of 3