Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00147/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00147-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 448
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights - Education
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question: Review Agency Decision

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On February 11, 2016, Jennifer Feige filed her applications to be appointed the guardian ad 

litem from the child, J.F. (Doc. 8) Because the Court finds Ms. Feige to be an appropriate guardian ad 

litem, the petition is GRANTED.

I. Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “[a] minor . . . 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). 

In addition, a court “must appoint a guardian ad litem - or issue another appropriate order - to protect a 

minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented in an action.” Id. The capacity of an individual to 

sue is determined “by the law of the individual’s domicile.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(b). 

ROSEDALE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT,

 Plaintiff,

v.

J.F., a minor, by and through BRADLEY 

FEIGE and JENNIFER FEIGE,

Defendant.

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Case No.: 1:16-cv-00147 --- JLT 

ORDER GRANTING THE MOTION TO APPOINT 

JENNIFER FEIGE AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM 

FOR J.F.

(Doc. 8)

AND RELATED CROSS ACTION

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Case 1:16-cv-00147-JLT Document 11 Filed 02/11/16 Page 1 of 3
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Here, the child resides in California (Doc. 8 at 2) and the law of the state governs. Under 

California law, an individual under the age of eighteen is a minor, and a minor may bring suit only if a 

guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. The Court may appoint a

guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). 

II. Discussion and Analysis

Here, J.F. is a 3-year-old. (Doc. 8 at 2) Thus, under California law, he is a minor. See Cal. Fam. 

Code § 6502. As a minor, his ability to pursue this action is contingent upon the appointment of a 

guardian ad litem. In determining whether to appoint a particular guardian ad litem, the court must

consider whether the child and the guardian have divergent interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(b)(1).

“When there is a potential conflict between a perceived parental responsibility and an obligation to 

assist the court in achieving a just and speedy determination of the action, a court has the right to select 

a guardian ad litem who is not a parent if that guardian would best protect the child’s interests.”

Williams v. Super. Ct., 147 Cal. App. 4th 36, 38 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th 2007) (internal quotation marks and 

citation omitted). “[I]f the parent has an actual or potential conflict of interest with his child, the parent 

has no right to control or influence the child's litigation.” Id. at 50.

Here, the case raises issues related to the appropriate educational opportunities for the child. See 

Burke v. Smith, 252 F.3d 1260, 1264 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Generally, when a minor is represented by a 

parent who is a party to the lawsuit and who has the same interests as the child there is no inherent 

conflict of interest.”); see also Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37669, at *7 

(E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007) (observing that “[a] parent is generally appointed guardian ad litem”). Thus, it 

does not appear there are adverse interests between the child and his proposed guardian ad litem.

III. Conclusion and Order

The decision whether to appoint a guardian ad litem is “normally left to the sound discretion of 

the trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, etc., 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986). Here, it 

does not appear the proposed guardian has conflicting interests, and as such she may be appointed to 

represent the interests of the children. Therefore, the Court is acting within its discretion to grant the

application.

Based upon the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 

Case 1:16-cv-00147-JLT Document 11 Filed 02/11/16 Page 2 of 3
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1. The motions for appointment of Jennifer Feige as guardian ad litem for J.F. (Doc. 8) is

GRANTED; 

2. Jennifer Feige is appointed to act as guardian ad litem for J.F.. and is authorized to 

prosecute this action on his behalf.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 11, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00147-JLT Document 11 Filed 02/11/16 Page 3 of 3