Document: 494 U.S. 545 110 S.Ct. 1331 108 L.Ed.2d 504 John S. LYTLE, Petitionerv.HOUSEHOLD MANUFACTURING, INC., dba Schwitzer Turbochargers. No. 88-334. Argued Jan. 8, 1990. Decided March 20, Syllabus Petitioner Lytle, an Afro-American, filed action under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, alleging that respondent Turbochargers had terminated his employment because race retaliated against him for filing a charge with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by subsequently providing inadequate references to prospective employers. He requested jury trial on all issues triable jury. After concluding provided exclusive remedy, District Court dismissed 1981 claims conducted bench claims. It granted Schwitzer's motion dismiss discriminatory discharge claim pursuant Federal Rule Procedure 41(b) at close Lytle's case in chief entered judgment retaliation after parties presented their evidence. The Appeals affirmed but noted dismissal was "apparently erroneous" remedies were separate, independent, distinct. Nonetheless, it ruled Court's findings respect collaterally estopped Lytle from litigating elements cause two statutes are identical. rejected Seventh Amendment—which preserves right suits involving legal, as opposed equitable, claims—precluded according collateral-estoppel effect findings, reasoning judicial interest economy resources overrode relitigating before Held: 1. Amendment precludes district court's determinations common equitable legal where court resolved first solely erroneously Pp. 550-556. (a) But claims, he would have been entitled them Curtis v. Loether, 415 189, 196, n. 11, 94 1005, 1009, 39 260 required resolve considered Beacon Theatres, Inc. Westover, 359 500, 510-511, 79 948, 956-957, 3 988; Dairy Queen, Wood, 369 469, 473, 82 894, 897, 8 44. holding Parklane Hosiery Co. Shore, 439 322, 99 645, 58 552—that could estop relitigation same subsequent without violating litigant's cannot be extended present situation. Although no when made its this not constitute second, separate action, only erroneous enabled first. anomalous hold deprive litigant resolving hears raising issues, may accomplish result dismissing claim. 550-552. (b) This conclusion is consistent approach cases wrongful denial petitioner's which reverse remand each entirety rather than accord factual effect. See, e.g., Granfinanciera, S.A. Nordberg, 492 33, 109 2782, 106 26. Furthermore, purposes served doctrine—to protect multiple lawsuits possibility inconsistent decisions, conserve resources—do justify applying here. involves one suit plaintiff properly joined dissipate "needless litigation," new essential vindicating rights. P. 552-554. 2. argument Appeals' should directed verdict favor even if tried rejected. contention similar ignores important distinction between 41(b), allows determine facts law deciding whether render evidence, 50(a), requires draw inferences nonmoving party. court—which interpretation evidence supporting "reasonable"—would necessarily taken away further off base, declined claim, nothing record indicates court—after hearing evidence—reached reasonable conclusions or found differently different verdict. 554-555. 831 F.2d 1057 (CA 4 1987), vacated remanded. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. O'CONNOR, concurring opinion, SCALIA, joined, post, p. 556. Judity Reed, petitioner. H. Lane Dennard, Jr., Greenville, S.C., respondent. Justice MARSHALL 1 In 552 (1979), we held trial. Id., 333, S.Ct., 652-53. case, petitioner brought We must resolution raised bars context collateral estoppel does preclude those these circumstances. 2 * worked machinist Turbochargers, subsidiary Household Manufacturing, On August 1983, asked supervisor take vacation day Friday, 12, so see doctor. approved request, later told work Saturday, 13. objected too ill Saturday. did report either day, dispute informed employer intention absent days. classified absences "unexcused." Under company's policy, more eight hours unexcused within 12-month period provides grounds dismissal. basis, fired Lytle. complaint (EEOC), treated white workers who missed work. At time, applied jobs other employers, several whom sought Schwitzer. alleges job search unsuccessful employers dates title. receiving sue letter EEOC, seeking monetary injunctive relief 1964, 78 Stat. 253, 2000e et seq. (1982 ed.), 16 144, ed.). alleged discharged EEOC complaint, 5 beginning trial, remedy injuries. then claims.1 chief, ("After plaintiff, jury, has completed presentation defendant, waiving offer event granted, move ground upon shown relief. trier decline any until evidence"). judge 6 affirmed, (CA4 1987) (judgment order), "Title [are] independent distinct." App. Pet. Cert. 7a, Nevertheless, identical VII. precluded jury.2 certiorari, 917, 3239, 587 (1989), now reverse. II 7 "Suits law." Respondent that, See Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 211-212, 216, 2363, 2391, 2393, 105 132 (1989) (BRENNAN, part dissenting part). When "the including remains intact." (1974). Further, remained suit, "only most imperative circumstances, circumstances view flexible procedures Rules anticipate, can lost through prior determination claims." 988 (1959) (footnote omitted). Accord, 44 (1962). Theatres emphasized importance order "thought issue determined judge, might foreclosed res judicata estoppel." Co., U.S., 334, 653. "an violate Amendment." 335, 653 (emphasis added). already issued appeal constitutionally required. though second action. argues governed pending it. respondent's view, appellate finds remands court, therefore subject 9 persuaded. Only erroneous3 otherwise ruling, indistinguishable Queen. Such particularly unfair here join avoid bar judicata. Harnett Billman, 800 1308, 1315 1986) (holding adjudication barred arose out transactions suit). 10 Our issues. such cases, never accorded determinations. Instead, reversed remanded Meeker Ambassador Oil Corp., 375 160, 84 273, 11 261 (1963) (per curiam ) (reversing decision try thereby relied facts); Tull United States, 481 412, 107 1831, 95 365 (1987) remanding penalties improperly denied penalties); 26 Bankruptcy petitioners weight judge's findings). do doctrine case. Collateral protects conserves resources. Montana 440 147, 153-154, 970, 973-974, 59 210 (1979). Application unnecessary prevent Moreover, our refusal apply litigation" over previously 326, 649. litigation "needless" concludes see, (1962), precede (1959). mechanism completely correct error below. Thus, concern about economy, extent supports position, insufficient basis departing longstanding commitment preserving III 12 notwithstanding issue, affirm litigated compelling 13 Pursuant relating allegations discharge. making adduced Tr. 258, concluded established prima facie 259. contends ruling establishes also proof 14 Respondent's 50(a). "as facts" "and . evidence." contrast, considering verdict, weigh draws Anderson Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 242, 255, 2505, 2513, 91 202 (1986) ("Credibility determinations, weighing drawing legitimate functions, judge. nonmovant believed, justifiable drawn favor"). although might, reviewing decide party moving believe reasonably find observation "reasonable," 15 base. finding some disparate treatment, 256, 257, issue. closing statements, discrimination respondent, id., 301, favor. Nothing reached As long recognized, Railroad Stout, 17 Wall. 657, 664, 21 L.Ed. 745 (1874). convinced concerning retaliation. IV extend supra, To seriously undermine plaintiff's Amendment. vacate Fourth Circuit, claims,4 proceedings opinion. ordered. 18 SCALIA joins, concurring. 19 I write separately note what acknowledges last sentence footnote, ante, 551-552, 3: question stated valid open. Court, claimed Commission. Ante, 548. decided decision, applicability specifically addressed. usual practice address questions time States Mendenhall, 446 544, 5, 100 1870, 1875-1876, 64 497 (1980); Youakim Miller, 425 231, 234, 96 1399, 1401-02, 47 701 (1976). adheres practice, noting arguments based neither "presented below" nor "in record." 552, 3. correctly there "therefore affirming Circuit's judgment" juncture. Ibid. remand, therefore, will ample opportunity arguments, lower courts consider charges relates formation enforcement contract, types actionable Patterson, 176-178, 2372-2373, "postformation conduct unrelated employee's enforce [his] contract." 180, 2374. Circuit precedent, Keller Prince George's County, 827 952, 955 (1987). Chauffeurs, Teamsters Helpers Terry, 493 558, 572, 1339, 1348, 519, 532 (1990). Because argue express assume right. situation directly conflicts Hussein Oshkosh Motor Truck 816 348 state light (1989). Rules, "[o]nly set forth petition, fairly included therein, Court." 14.1(a). Patterson's remotely related certiorari. i ("Did violations unreviewable refusing empanel compounds constitutional infraction himself very jury?"). nonetheless presented, because, prevailing below, "defend below upon, rejected, Appeals." Washington Yakima Indian Nation, 463, 476, 740, 749, 740 scope defined however, supported record. 1981. petition writ certiorari decision's words, intervening extraordinary circumstance justifies Rules. persuaded exception warranted Applying analysis particular benefit full sensible exercise discretion. Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, University Illinois Foundation, 402 313, 320, 6, 1434, 1438, 28 788 (1971); Sure-Tan, NLRB, 467 883, 896, 7, 104 2803, 2811, 81 732 (1984). Cf. Piccirillo New York, 400 548, 520, 27 596 (1971) (dismissing improvidently agreed state-court rendered meaningless). impact Vacating regarding afford complete Had dismissed, jury's disregarded vacating avoids 154, 974, (1979) (noting decisions pose threat diminishing reliance judiciary).

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