Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00409/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00409-1/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

D.M., et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

COUNTY OF MERCED, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:20-cv-00409-NONE-SAB

ORDER APPOINTING JOSE MARTINEZ

GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR PLAINTIFFS 

D.M. AND L.M. AND VACATING APRIL 

29, 2020 HEARING 

(ECF Nos. 8, 9)

On March 19, 2020, minors D.M. and L.M., Denise Sawyer, and Doug Snider filed a 

complaint in this action. (ECF No. 1.) The complaint states the action is filed by and through 

the minors’ guardian ad litem Jose Martinez. On March 23, 2020, the Court ordered Plaintiffs’ 

counsel to either file evidence that a representative had been appointed under state law, or file a 

motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem. (ECF No. 8.) On March 26, 2020, Plaintiffs

filed a motion to appoint Jose Martinez as guardian ad litem for Plaintiffs L.M. and D.M., and set 

a hearing for April 29, 2020. (ECF No. 9.) The Court, having reviewed the record, finds this 

matter suitable for decision without oral argument. See L.R. 230(g). Accordingly, the hearing 

set on April 29, 2020, will be vacated and the parties will not be required to appear at that time.

Pursuant to Rule 17 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a representative of a minor 

or incompetent person may sue or defend on the minor or incompetent person’s behalf. Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 17(c). This requires the Court to take whatever measures it deems appropriate to protect 

Case 1:20-cv-00409-JLT-SAB Document 10 Filed 03/27/20 Page 1 of 3
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the interests of the individual during the litigation. United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, More 

or Less, Situated in Klickitat Cty., State of Wash., 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir. 1986). The 

appointment of the guardian ad litem is more than a mere formality. Id. “A guardian ad litem is 

authorized to act on behalf of his ward and may make all appropriate decisions in the course of 

specific litigation.” Id. A guardian ad litem need not possess any special qualifications, but he 

must “be truly dedicated to the best interests of the person on whose behalf he seeks to litigate.” 

AT&T Mobility, LLC v. Yeager, 143 F.Supp.3d 1042, 9 (E.D. Cal. 2015). This means that the 

guardian ad litem cannot face an impermissible conflict of interest with the ward and courts 

consider the candidate’s “experience, objectivity, and expertise” or previous relationship with the 

ward. Id. (citations omitted). 

“[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).” Gonzalez v. Reno, 86 F.Supp.2d 1167, 1185 (S.D. Fla.), aff’d sub 

nom. Gonzalez v. Reno, 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. Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, No. 1:06-CV-01165 AWINEW, 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., at *2. 

The Court has considered the motion and declaration of Jose Martinez for appointment as 

guardian ad litem for Plaintiffs D.M. and L.M. in this action, and finds that no conflict that 

would preclude him serving as a guardian ad litem for Plaintiffs D.M. and L.M. (ECF Nos. 9; 9-

1.) The filing indicates Plaintiffs L.M. and D.M. are the children of Jose Martinez, and Jose 

Martinez has full legal custody and provides for their care. (Id.) 

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that

1. JOSE MARTINEZ is appointed guardian ad litem for minor Plaintiffs D.M. and 

L.M.; and 

2. The hearing scheduled for April 29, 2020, is VACATED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 27, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-00409-JLT-SAB Document 10 Filed 03/27/20 Page 3 of 3