F.E.V.

*465 INTRODUCTION

The doctrine of res judicata or claim preclusion dictates that in ordinary circumstances a final judgment on the merits prevents litigation of the same cause of action in a second suit between the same parties. ( DKN Holdings LLC v. Faerber (2015) 61 Cal.4th 813 , 824, 189 Cal.Rptr.3d 809 , 352 P.3d 378 ( DKN ).) In rare circumstances, a final judgment may be denied claim preclusive effect when to do so would result in manifest injustice. ( *217 People v. Barragan (2004) 32 Cal.4th 236 , 256, 9 Cal.Rptr.3d 76 , 83 P.3d 480 ( Barragan ); City of Sacramento v. State of California (1990) 50 Cal.3d 51 , 65, fn. 8, 266 Cal.Rptr. 139 , 785 P.2d 522 ; Greenfield v. Mather (1948) 32 Cal.2d 23 , 25, 194 P.2d 1 ( Greenfield ).) This case presents such rare circumstances.

The rare circumstances arise due to a Ninth Circuit en banc opinion that reversed a federal court judgment against plaintiffs on their civil rights claims. ( Gonzalez v. City of Anaheim (9th Cir. 2014) 747 F.3d 789 (en banc).) Initially, a Ninth Circuit panel decision had affirmed the federal court judgment against plaintiffs. ( Gonzalez v. City of Anaheim (9th Cir. May 13, 2013, No. 11-56360) 2013…