Class Action Defense Cases-In re Pilgrim’s Pride: Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Grants Defense Motion To Centralize Class Actions In Western District of Arkansas

Aug 10, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

Judicial Panel Grants Defense Request, Unopposed by Plaintiffs’ Lawyers, for Pretrial Coordination of Class Action Lawsuits Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 and Transfers Class Actions to Western District of Arkansas

Five labor law class action lawsuits were filed against Pilgrim’s Pride alleging failure to comply with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In re Pilgrim’s Pride Labor Standards Act Litig., 489 F.Supp.2d 1381, 1381 (Jud.Pan.Mult.Lit. 2007). Defense attorneys for the common defendant filed a motion with the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) requesting centralization of the class actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 in the Eastern District of Texas or, alternatively, in the Western District of Arkansas; all plaintiffs supported pretrial coordination, but they disagreed on where the class actions should be transferred. Id. The Judicial Panel granted the motion to centralize the five class actions, and selected the Western District of Arkansas as the appropriate transferee court. Id., at 1381-82.

Download PDF file of In re Pilgrim’s Pride Transfer Order

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