Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00286/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00286-4/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

RAYMUNDO VICENTE RUBIO,

Plaintiff,

v.

CITY OF VISALIA, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:21-cv-00286-DAD-SAB 

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD 

LITEM 

ORDER GRANTING REQUEST TO SEAL 

DOCUMENTS AND DIRECTING CLERK 

OF THE COURT TO FILE PLAINTIFF’S 

MEDICAL RECORDS UNDER SEAL 

(ECF Nos. 31, 33, 34)

On March 1, 2021, a complaint in this action was filed on behalf of Raymundo Vicente 

Rubio (“Plaintiff”), alleged to be an incompetent adult. (ECF No. 1.) On March 15, 2022, 

Petitioner Helen Maria Salinas (“Petitioner”), who is Rubio’s mother, filed a petition for 

appointment of guardian ad litem, seeking to be appointed as guardian ad litem for Plaintiff. 

(ECF No. 31.) Finding the petition to be legally and substantively deficient, the Court ordered 

supplemental briefing on the petition and directed any medical evidence submitted to be filed 

under seal. (ECF No. 32.) 

On March 29, 2022, Petitioner filed supplemental briefing in support of the petition for 

appointment of guardian ad litem as well as a notice of request to seal Exhibit A to Plaintiff’s 

supplemental briefing. (ECF Nos. 33, 34.) Petitioner additionally filed a redacted version of 

Case 1:21-cv-00286-SAB Document 35 Filed 04/04/22 Page 1 of 3
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Exhibit A with her supplemental briefing and request to seal. (See ECF Nos. 33-1, 34-1.) 

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

incompetent person may sue or defend on the 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. 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 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. 

Here, having considered Ms. Salinas’s petition for appointment as Guardian Ad Litem for 

Plaintiff, the supplemental briefing, supporting declarations, and Plaintiff’s medical records, the 

Court finds granting the petition is warranted. Petitioner’s allegations that Plaintiff is an 

incompetent adult are sufficiently supported by her supplemental briefing and medical evidence. 

The Court further finds that no conflict that would preclude Petitioner from serving as guardian 

ad litem for Plaintiff. And the Court is satisfied that the supplemental briefing demonstrates 

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Petitioner is competent to represent Plaintiff’ interests and that she consents to act as guardian ad 

litem in this action. Thus, the Court finds that the appointment is both necessary and 

appropriate.

Furthermore, the Court has considered Petitioner’s request to seal, as well as the 

referenced documents produced and marked as Exhibit A and finds good cause exists to grant 

Petitioner’s request due to the confidential nature of Plaintiff’s medical records and pursuant to 

Local Rule 141 and the Court’s March 16, 2022 order (ECF No. 32). 

Accordingly, good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The petition for appointment of guardian ad litem is GRANTED (ECF No. 31); 

2. Helen Maria Salinas is APPOINTED as Guardian Ad Litem for Plaintiff 

Raymundo Rubio; 

3. Petitioner’s request to seal (ECF No. 34) is GRANTED. Petitioner SHALL 

SUBMIT, forthwith, an unredacted copy of Exhibit A to 

ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov for filing under seal, in accordance with 

Local Rule 141 and this Court’s Case Management Procedures, “Standard 

Information,” as provided on the Eastern District of California Court website page 

for the Honorable Stanley A. Boone; and 

4. Upon submission, the Clerk of the Court is directed to FILE UNDER SEAL 

Petitioner’s Exhibit A. These documents shall remain under seal until further 

order of the Court or a request from Plaintiff to unseal. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 4, 2022 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:21-cv-00286-SAB Document 35 Filed 04/04/22 Page 3 of 3