Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00523/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00523-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 443
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Accommodations
Cause of Action: 42:405 Fair Housing Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KIMEKA SIMMONS, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

BAUER RENTALS, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-00523-JLT-SAB

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

APPOINT KIMEKA SIMMONS AS 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR H.T., M.H., 

AND E.H.

(ECF No. 1)

On April 4, 2023, a motion for appointment of Plaintiff Kimeka Simmons to act as 

guardian ad litem for minor Plaintiffs H.T., M.H., and E.H., was filed in this action brought 

pursuant to the Fair Housing Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq., and related state laws. 

(ECF No. 1.) 

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 

the interests of the individual during the litigation. U.S. 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 

Case 1:23-cv-00523-JLT-SAB Document 5 Filed 04/06/23 Page 1 of 3
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Mobility, LLC v. Yeager, 143 F. Supp. 3d 1042, 1054 (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, 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 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., at *2. 

Kimeka Simmons declares that she is the natural mother of the minor Plaintiffs. (Decl. 

Kimeka Simmons (“Simmons Decl.”) ¶ 1, ECF No. 1 at 1-2.) Kimeka Simmons declares that 

the minors do not have a general guardian other than the petitioner as their parent, and no 

previous motion for the appointment of guardian ad litem has been filed in this matter. 

(Simmons Decl. ¶ 4.) Kimeka Simmons declares that she is competent and willing to act as 

guardian ad litem for her minor children. (Simmons Decl. ¶ 5.) 

In consideration of the motion, the Court finds no conflict that would preclude Plaintiff 

Kimeka Simmons from serving as a guardian ad litem for her minor children. 

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Case 1:23-cv-00523-JLT-SAB Document 5 Filed 04/06/23 Page 2 of 3
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The motion to appoint guardian ad litem is GRANTED; and

2. Plaintiff Kimeka Simmons is appointed guardian ad litem for minor Plaintiffs 

H.T., M.H., and E.H.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 6, 2023 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00523-JLT-SAB Document 5 Filed 04/06/23 Page 3 of 3