Parks v. City of Madison

Eugene Parks appeals from an order dismissing a mandamus action in which he sought reinstatement to his former position as Affirmative Action Officer for the City of Madison. He raises a single issue: whether a prior action, in which Parks sued the city in federal court, claiming that his removal violated his federal and state rights, bars his present state action under principles of res judicata.

We conclude that the present suit is not barred by Parks's earlier action in federal court. And while Parks has indeed launched an avalanche of litigation against the city in the wake of his firing,…