Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_25-cv-00143/USCOURTS-caed-2_25-cv-00143-0/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 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

VANESSA SULLIVAN O/B/O MINOR 

P.N.J, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

COMISSIONER OF SOCIAL 

SECURITY, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:25-cv-0143 AC 

ORDER 

 

Before the court is plaintiffs’ Petition for the Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem. ECF 

No. 3. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c)(2), “[a] minor or an incompetent person 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). Local Rule 202 provides the following additional requirements: 

 (a) 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 the minor or incompetent person 

shall present (1) appropriate evidence of the appointment of a 

representative for the minor or incompetent person under state law 

or (2) a motion for the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the 

Court, or, (3) a showing satisfactory to the Court that no such 

appointment is necessary to ensure adequate representation of the 

minor or incompetent person. 

... 

Case 2:25-cv-00143-AC Document 4 Filed 01/14/25 Page 1 of 2
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(c) Disclosure of Attorney’s Interest. When the minor or incompetent 

is represented by an attorney, it shall be disclosed to the Court by 

whom and the terms under which the attorney was employed; 

whether the attorney became involved in the application at the 

instance of the party against whom the causes of action are asserted, 

directly or indirectly; whether the attorney stands in any relationship 

to that party; and whether the attorney has received or expects to 

receive any compensation, from whom, and the amount. 

E.D. Cal. L.R. 202. 

The Ninth Circuit has held that “[a]lthough the [district] court has broad discretion and 

need not appoint a guardian ad litem if it determines the person is or can be otherwise adequately 

protected, it is under a legal obligation to consider whether the person is adequately protected.” 

United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situated in Klickitat County, State of Wash., 

795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir.1986). Fit parents are presumed to act in the best interests of their 

children. Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 66 (2000); Doe v. Heck, 327 F.3d 492, 521 (7th Cir. 

2003). 

Here, plaintiff asks that Vanessa Sullivan be appointed guardian ad litem for her minor 

grandchild, P.N.J, in this social security action. ECF No. 3 at 2. Vanessa Sullivan filed a 

declaration stating that P.N.J. is in her custody and that she is intimately familiar with P.N.J.’s 

physical and mental disabilities. Id. at 5. Plaintiff complied with Local Rule 202(c) and 

disclosed their attorney’s interest. Id. at 2. 

Upon examination, the undersigned finds that the appointment of Vanessa Sullivan as 

guardian ad litem for her minor grandchild, plaintiff P.N.J., is appropriate. It is therefore 

ORDERED that the petition, ECF No. 3, is GRANTED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: January 14, 2025 

Case 2:25-cv-00143-AC Document 4 Filed 01/14/25 Page 2 of 2