Client: Monsanto Company
Representation: Schoenbaum et al. v. E.I. dupont de Nemours and Company et al.
Lead Professionals: Robert N. Weiner
Practice Areas:
Antitrust/Competition - Antitrust Litigation
Litigation - Business Litigation
Litigation - Class Actions
Region: North America
Description:
Since early 2004, Arnold & Porter LLP has represented Monsanto in defense of multiple antitrust and RICO putative class actions relating to genetically modified seed. The cases were originally filed by Milberg Weiss and other large plaintiffs' firms in state courts in 13 different states. Arnold & Porter spent the first several years litigating the proper forum for the cases. To avoid further litigation, plaintiffs ultimately agreed to voluntarily consolidate and transfer the cases to a federal court in St. Louis, Missouri, where Monsanto's headquarters are located. As of June 2007, Arnold & Porter has engaged in substantial pre-discovery motions, and Monsanto's motion to dismiss is pending. Discovery has not yet commenced.