Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-01167/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-01167-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
J.M.C.
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On August 8, 2016, Gail Hall initiated this action on behalf of her son, minor Plaintiff J.M.C., 

seeking judicial review of the decision to deny J.M.C.’s application for Social Security benefits. 

(Docs. 1, 2) Ms. Hall seeks to be appointed as the guardian ad litem for J.M.C. For the reasons set 

forth below, the request 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). Here, J.M.C.

resides in Fresno County, California (See Doc. 1 at 2), and the law of the state governs. 

J.M.C., by and through his guardian ad litem 

GAIL HALL,

 Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Acting Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

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Case No.: 1:16-cv-01167 - JLT 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO APPOINT 

GAIL NICOLE HALL AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM 

FOR MINOR PLAINTIFF J.M.C.

(Doc. 2)

Case 1:16-cv-01167-JLT Document 5 Filed 08/12/16 Page 1 of 3
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Under California law, an individual under the age of eighteen is a minor, and a minor may 

bring suit as long as a guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. A guardian 

ad litem may be appointed to represent the minor’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). In 

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

minor 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.

II. Discussion and Analysis

Here, Plaintiff J.M.C. is the son of Gail Hall and is a minor under California law. See Cal. 

Fam. Code § 6502. As a minor, his ability to bring suit is contingent upon appointment by the court of 

a guardian ad litem. Upon review of the Complaint, it does not appear there are adverse interests, 

because J.M.C. is the only plaintiff in this action, and the only claims are asserted on his behalf. 

Accordingly, appointment of Ms. Hall as guardian ad litem for her son is appropriate. 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 “[a] parent is generally appointed 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 Ms. Hall has conflicting interests, and as such she may be appointed to represent the 

interests of her son. Therefore, the Court is acting within its discretion to grant the application.

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Case 1:16-cv-01167-JLT Document 5 Filed 08/12/16 Page 2 of 3
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Based upon the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 

1. The motion for appointment of Gail Hallas guardian ad litem for J.M.C. (Doc. 2) is 

GRANTED; and 

2. Gail Hall is appointed to act as guardian ad litem for plaintiff A.V., and is authorized to 

prosecute this action on his behalf.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 12, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-01167-JLT Document 5 Filed 08/12/16 Page 3 of 3