Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01540/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01540-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:402 Social Security Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NANCY MORENO O/B/O MINOR A.J.M.,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:24-cv-01540-BAM

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM 

OF A.J.M.

(Doc. 3)

Plaintiff Nancy Moreno on behalf of minor A.J.M. (“Plaintiff”), through counsel, filed 

this action seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security 

Administration. (Doc. 1.) Currently before the Court is Plaintiff Nancy Moreno’s petition for 

appointment as guardian ad litem for her child, A.J.M., a minor. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 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). This requires a district court to take 

whatever measures it deems proper to protect the individual during litigation. United States v. 

30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir. 1986). In pertinent part, Local Rule 202(a) of 

this Court further states:

Upon commencement of an action or upon initial appearance in defense of an 

action by or on behalf of a minor or incompetent person, the attorney representing 

Case 1:24-cv-01540-BAM Document 5 Filed 12/19/24 Page 1 of 2
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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 necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. 

See L.R. 202(a). The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound 

discretion of the trial court.” 30.64 Acres, 795 F.2d at 804. 

“[W]hen a parent brings an action on behalf of a child, and it is evident that the interests 

of each are the same, no need exists for someone other than the parent to represent the child’s 

interests under Rule 17(c).” H.D.A. v. County of Stanislaus, No. 1:22-cv-00384-DAD-SAB, 2022 

WL 992990, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 1, 2022) (quoting Gonzalez v. Reno, 86 F. Supp. 2d 1167, 

1185 (S.D. Fla.), aff'd, 212 F.3d 1338 (11th Cir. 2000)). “While a parent is generally appointed 

as a guardian ad litem, there are situations where the best interests of the minor and the interests 

of the parent conflict.” Id. (citing Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, No. 1:06-cv-01165 AWI NEW 

(TAG), 2007 WL 1390672, at *2 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007)). Therefore, a parent is not entitled as 

a matter of right to act as guardian ad litem for the child. Id.

The Court has considered the petition and finds no apparent conflict that would preclude 

A.J.M.’s mother from serving as guardian ad litem. The supporting declaration of Nancy 

Moreno indicates the following: (1) she is the mother of A.J.M., a minor; (2) she is competent to 

prosecute the action for A.J.M.; and (3) she has no interest adverse to the rights of A.J.M. (Doc. 

3 at 4, Declaration of Nancy Moreno ¶¶ 1, 3-4.) Additionally, the petition indicates that Nancy 

Moreno is a competent and responsible person, she is fully competent to act as a guardian ad 

litem, she is familiar with A.J.M.’s medical conditions, and she is willing to act as guardian ad 

litem. (Doc. 3 at 2.)

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Nancy Moreno is appointed in this action 

as guardian ad litem for A.J.M., a minor.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 19, 2024 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-01540-BAM Document 5 Filed 12/19/24 Page 2 of 2