Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00376/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00376-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

M.M., a minor by and through her guardian 

ad litem DAVID EVANKOVICH,

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF KERN et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:16-cv-00376-DAD-JLT

ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

(Doc. No. 6)

On March 21, 2016, plaintiff M.M., a minor by and through her guardian ad litem David 

Evankovich, filed a petition for the appointment of a guardian ad litem. (Doc. No. 6.)

“District courts have a special duty, derived from Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c), 

to safeguard the interests of litigants who are minors.” Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 

1181 (9th Cir. 2011). Rule 17 provides that “[t]he court must appoint a guardian ad litem—or 

issue another appropriate order—to protect a minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented 

in an action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). Local Rule 202(a) of this court further states, in pertinent 

part: 

Upon commencement of an action or upon initial appearance in 

defense of an action by or on behalf of a minor . . . the attorney 

representing the minor or incompetent person shall present . . . a 

motion for the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the Court, or

. . . a showing satisfactory to the Court that no such appointment is 

Case 1:16-cv-00376-JLT Document 13 Filed 03/29/16 Page 1 of 2
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necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c).

The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound discretion of the 

trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986).

Petitioner David Evankovich petitions the court to appoint him as guardian ad litem to his 

minor child, plaintiff M.M. Plaintiff M.M. is a minor, born March 21, 1999. Petitioner states that 

he is the biological father to plaintiff M.M., and that he will represent and has no interests adverse 

to plaintiff M.M. Finding good cause, the court grants the petition (Doc. No. 6) and appoints 

David Evankovich guardian ad litem of M.M., a minor and plaintiff to this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 28, 2016 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00376-JLT Document 13 Filed 03/29/16 Page 2 of 2