Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00518/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00518-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Domitila Rojas
Plaintiff
United States of America
Defendant
Karina Urbina-Rojas
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KARINA URBINA-ROJAS, a minor by 

and through her guardian ad litem

DOMITILA ROJAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Defendant.

No. 1:16-cv-00518-DAD-SAB

ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

(Doc. No. 5)

On March 21, 2016, plaintiff Kariuna Urbina-Rojas, a minor by and through her guardian 

ad litem Domitila Rojas, filed a petition for the appointment of a guardian ad litem. (Doc. No. 5.)

“District courts have a special duty, derived from Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c), 

to safeguard the interests of litigants who are minors.” Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 

1181 (9th Cir. 2011). Rule 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). Local Rule 202(a) of this court further 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 . . . the attorney 

representing the minor or incompetent person shall present . . . a 

motion for the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the Court, or

Case 1:16-cv-00518-DAD-SAB Document 8 Filed 05/20/16 Page 1 of 2
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. . . 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).

The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound discretion of the 

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

Petitioner Domitila Rojas petitions the court to appoint her as guardian ad litem to her 

minor child, plaintiff Karina Urbina-Rojas. Plaintiff Urbina-Rojas is a minor, born October 29, 

2013. Petitioner states that she is the mother to plaintiff Urbina-Rojas, and that she is competent 

and qualified to represent and has no interests adverse to plaintiff Urbina-Rojas. Finding good 

cause, the court grants the petition (Doc. No. 5) and appoints Domitila Rojas guardian ad litem of

Kariuna Urbina-Rojas, a minor and plaintiff to this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 19, 2016 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00518-DAD-SAB Document 8 Filed 05/20/16 Page 2 of 2