Stueve Siegel Hanson Secures Dismissal of Syngenta $1.51 Billion Settlement Appeals
On January 7, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit dismissed with prejudice the appeals brought by objectors to the $1.51 billion Syngenta class action settlement, after Stueve Siegel Hanson Partner Patrick J. Stueve led the negotiations on behalf of class counsel that resolved the objectors’ appeals. As a result, initial payments to the corn farmers and other class members who made a timely and valid claim are expected to begin by the second quarter of 2020.
Originally expected to go out in 2019, the payments have been delayed as final approval of the historic settlement (given in December 2018 by the Honorable John W. Lungstrum, a United Stated District Court Judge in the District of Kansas) was appealed by a few farmers.
Partner Bradley T. Wilders’ led the efforts to fully brief the objector appeals on behalf of class counsel and the nationwide classes of farmers and non-producers. The resolution occurred just weeks before oral argument was set before the Tenth Circuit. Under the settlement agreement no payments could be made to farmers until the settlement was final including resolution of the objector appeals.
Class counsel expect these initial payments to be one of two payments each eligible class member will receive, as the claims administrator completes the review of all claims submitted under the settlement. In order to participate in the initial payment, all claimants must submit a W-9 form for tax reporting purposes. The form can be submitted at www.cornseedsettlement.com.
