Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01112/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01112-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 365
Nature of Suit: Personal Injury - Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Product Liability

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOANNE KNUPP, individual, and as 

plaintiff’s mother and guardian on behalf of 

minor child, L.K.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

Amazon.com Services LLC 

(“AMAZON”), is a Delaware limited 

liability company; and DOES 1-50, 

inclusive,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-01112-ADA-BAM

ORDER VACATING DECEMBER 8, 2023 

HEARING

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ 

MOTION TO APPOINT JOANNE KNUPP 

AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR L.K., A 

MINOR

(Doc. 14)

Currently before the Court is a motion for appointment of Plaintiff Joanne Knupp as 

guardian ad litem for Plaintiff L.K., a minor. (Doc. 14.) Defendant Amazon did not file any 

opposition within the time prescribed by Local Rule 230(c). The matter was referred to the 

undersigned pursuant to the Standing Order issued on July 25, 2023. (Doc. 3-1.) 

The Court finds the motion appropriate for resolution without oral argument. L.R. 230(g). 

The hearing on the motion currently set for December 8, 2023, is HEREBY VACATED, and the 

motion is submitted upon the record. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17 provides that “[t]he 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.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). This requires a district court to take 

whatever measures it deems proper to protect the individual during litigation. United States v. 

30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir. 1986). Local Rule 202(a) of this Court further 

Case 1:23-cv-01112-KES-BAM Document 15 Filed 11/17/23 Page 1 of 2
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states, in pertinent part:

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 . . . a motion for the appointment of 

a guardian ad litem by the Court, or . . . a showing satisfactory to the Court that no 

such appointment is necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. 

See L.R. 202(a). The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound 

discretion of the trial court.” 30.64 Acres, 795 F.2d at 804. 

“[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).” H.D.A. v. Cnty. of Stanislaus, No. 1:22-cv-00384-DAD-SAB, 2022 

WL 992990, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 1, 2022) (quoting 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.” Id. (citing 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.

The Court has considered the motion of Joanne Knupp for appointment as guardian ad 

litem for L.K., and finds no apparent conflict that would preclude Joanne Knupp from serving as 

guardian ad litem. The filings indicate that Joanne Knupp is the mother of minor L.K. (currently 

two years of age), she is willing to serve as guardian ad litem for purposes of this action, she is 

competent to understand and protect the rights of L.K. in this action, and she has no interests 

adverse to L.K. (See Docs. 14, 14-1.) 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff Joanne Knupp is appointed in this 

action as guardian ad litem for minor L.K. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 16, 2023 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01112-KES-BAM Document 15 Filed 11/17/23 Page 2 of 2