Fee Award – Claim Preclusion

By: Derek Hawkins//October 3, 2018//

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WI Court of Appeals – District III

Case Name: Barry R. Donohoo v. Douglas County, et al.

Case No.: 2017AP1253

Officials: Stark, P.J., Hruz and Seidl, JJ.

Focus: Fee Award – Claim Preclusion

Barry Donohoo, pro se, appeals from a summary judgment dismissing his lawsuit against Douglas County, and county employees Steven Rannenberg and Susan Sandvick (the County). Donohoo alleged compensatory and punitive damages arising out of a zoning permit application process. Donohoo challenges the circuit court’s determination that his lawsuit was barred by the doctrine of claim preclusion. Donohoo also contends the court erred by denying his requests for substitution of judge and change of venue. We affirm on the issues of substitution and venue. However, we conclude claim preclusion is inapplicable to the facts of this case. We therefore reverse on that issue and remand for further proceedings.

Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.

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