Court: United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
In re: Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation, Case No.: 16-cv-08637
WBE and co-counsel filed this case in 2016, alleging that several major U.S. chicken producers conspired to fix, raise, and stabilize the price of broiler chickens in violation of federal and state antitrust laws. The action, initiated on behalf of a nationwide class of Commercial and Institutional Indirect Purchaser Plaintiffs (“CIIPPs”), accuses the Defendants—large poultry companies such as Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Perdue Farms—of engaging in illegal collusion to artificially limit production, share sensitive market data, and manipulate pricing indices to maintain inflated prices for broiler chickens. WBE was appointed Liaison Counsel for the CIIPPs in October 2016.
Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief for violations of the Sherman Act and treble damages for violations of multiple state antitrust and consumer protection laws, asserting that the Defendants’ coordinated actions not only harmed competition but also significantly increased prices for consumers.
The CIIPPs vigorously litigated this action for years through summary judgment motions and preparing for a March 2024 trial against several defendants. Settlements have now been reached with all remaining defendants, and those settlements have been presented to the Court for preliminary approval. If finally approved, these settlements will fully resolve the CIIPPs litigation in this matter.