Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00571/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00571-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELIZABETH ROSE SMITH,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:19-cv-00571-SAB

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFF TO FILE 

A PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

FOURTEEN DAY DEADLINE

On May 1, 2019, a complaint was filed by Elizabeth Rose Smith (“Plaintiff”) seeking 

review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. (ECF No. 1.) Upon review of 

the briefing in this action it is apparent that the plaintiff in this action is a minor. (See ECF No. 

15 at 1.) (“On August 12, 2015, an application for supplemental security income was filed on 

behalf of Plaintiff, a minor child.”); Id. at 2 (“Ms. Smith was an adolescent on the application 

date and the date of the judge’s decision.”); Id. at 5 (“Plaintiff was a thirteen-year-old girl at the 

time of her hearing. She celebrated her birthday just prior to her hearing. . . .”) 

The complaint filed in this action does not indicate that the plaintiff in this action is a 

minor or that this complaint is brought on her behalf by a competent representative. The 

administrative record shows that Plaintiff was born in 2005 and is approximately fifteen years 

old at this time. (AR 18.) 

Rule 17 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides, that a suit by a minor may be 

Case 1:19-cv-00571-SAB Document 18 Filed 02/28/20 Page 1 of 2
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brought or defended by “(A) a general guardian; (B) a committee; (C) a conservator; or (D) a 

like fiduciary.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(1). A minor who does not have a duly appointed 

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

the Local Rules of the Eastern District of California state, 

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. See Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 17(c).

L.R. 202(a). 

Counsel is admonished for his failure to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure and the Local Rules of the Eastern District of California. The complaint in this action 

gave no indication that the plaintiff was a minor, no petition for the appointment of a guardian ad 

litem was filed, nor was any showing made that such appointment was not necessary. In the 

future, counsel should ensure that any complaint filed accurately represents the status of the 

individual on whose behalf an appeal is brought and shall comply with the Federal Rules and the 

Local Rules when filing appeals petitions on behalf of a minor. 

This action is brought on behalf of a minor and there has been no petition for the 

appointment of a guardian ad litem filed. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that within 

fourteen (14) days from the date of entry of this order, Plaintiff shall file evidence that the 

representative has been appointed under state law or a motion for appointment of a guardian ad 

litem that meets the requirements of Rule 202.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 28, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00571-SAB Document 18 Filed 02/28/20 Page 2 of 2