Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01484/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01484-30/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On March 7, 2016, Jessica Lynne Bergreen filed her application to be appointed the guardian 

ad litem for the child, Prissilla Anamarie Sanchez. (Doc. 106) Because the Court finds Ms. Bergreen 

to be an appropriate guardian ad litem, the petition is GRANTED.

I. Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “[a] minor . . . who does not have a duly 

appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian ad litem.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). 

In addition, a 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.” Id. The capacity of an individual to 

sue is determined “by the law of the individual’s domicile.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(b). 

Under California law, an individual under the age of eighteen is a minor, and a minor may 

bring suit only if a guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. The Court 

may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). 

DUBRIN et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

v.

MICHAEL STAINER, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:11-cv-01484 DAD JLT 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF GUARIDAN AD LITEM

(Doc. 106)

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II. Discussion and Analysis

Here, the child is 14 years old. (Doc. 106 at 1) Thus, under California law, she is a minor. See 

Cal. Fam. Code § 6502. As a minor, her ability to pursue this action is contingent upon the 

appointment of a guardian ad litem. In determining whether to appoint a particular guardian ad litem, 

the court must consider whether the child and the guardian have divergent interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. 

§ 372(b)(1). “When there is a potential conflict between a perceived parental responsibility and an 

obligation to assist the court in achieving a just and speedy determination of the action, a court has the 

right to select a guardian ad litem who is not a parent if that guardian would best protect the child’s 

interests.” Williams v. Super. Ct., 147 Cal. App. 4th 36, 38 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th 2007) (internal quotation 

marks and citation omitted). “[I]f the parent has an actual or potential conflict of interest with his child, 

the parent has no right to control or influence the child's litigation.” Id. at 50.

Here, the arises out of claims of deprivation of constitutional rights suffered by the child’s 

father, who is now deceased. See Burke v. Smith, 252 F.3d 1260, 1264 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Generally, 

when a minor is represented by a parent who is a party to the lawsuit and who has the same interests as 

the child there is no inherent conflict of interest.”); see also Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, 2007 U.S. 

Dist. LEXIS 37669, at *7 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007) (observing that “[a] parent is generally appointed 

guardian ad litem”). The proposed guardian ad litem is not a party to this case and has no claims on it. 

Thus, it does not appear there are adverse interests between the child and her proposed guardian ad 

litem.

III. Conclusion and Order

The decision whether to appoint a guardian ad litem is “normally left to the sound discretion of 

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

does not appear the proposed guardian has conflicting interests, and as such she may be appointed to 

represent the interests of the child. Therefore, the Court ORDERS: 

1. The motions for appointment of Jessica Lynne Bergreen as guardian ad litem for 

Prissilla Anamarie Sanchez (Doc. 106) is GRANTED; 

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2. Jessica Lynne Bergreen is appointed to act as guardian ad litem for Prissilla Anamarie 

Sanchez and is authorized to prosecute this action on her behalf.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 11, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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