Agriculture and Biotechnology Litigation

When corporations circumvent or ignore best safety practices for agricultural products like herbicides and genetically modified crops, they can cause devastating harm to millions of people. At DiCello Levitt, we leverage our deep knowledge of agricultural biotechnology and complex litigation to hold these corporations accountable and to protect communities and the environment.

Our firm has an impressive track record successfully representing plaintiffs in nationwide commercial and class action lawsuits against large corporate conglomerates. We have led several of the largest biotechnology class actions in U.S. history, recovering billions of dollars in compensation for damage inflicted and to cover the effects of future damage. While securing landmark settlements on behalf of our clients, DiCello Levitt attorneys have pioneered legal strategies in the agriculture and biotechnology space, including a game-changing model to measure crop contamination damages that has since become the modern industry standard.

With experience in both the prosecution and defense of biotechnology cases, our attorneys are skilled at anticipating potential challenges and envisioning viable paths towards resolution. In addition to cases involving personal injuries and defective products, we are well-versed in other legal issues that frequently arise in the agribusiness and biotech industry, such as antitrust, patent infringement, breach of contract, and unfair competition trials. For example, one of our attorneys won a $1 billion jury verdict in Monsanto Co. v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., the fourth-largest patent infringement jury verdict in U.S. history.

We are known for our strong determination to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. Even our corporate opponents praise our ability to resolve matters fairly and swiftly through settlement conferences, mediation, and other alternatives to avoid costly and lengthy trials. However, we are always ready to try our cases in court. Drawing on the cutting-edge research and extensive focus group practice of the DiCello Levitt Trial Center, our attorneys are prepared with advanced strategies that win at trial. We have frequently engaged in litigation that has lasted for years, never giving up until we attain justice for our clients.

Representative Matters

In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation

DiCello Levitt achieved aggregate settlements exceeding $1.1 billion for all U.S. long-grain rice farmers as Co-Lead Counsel in the biotechnology multidistrict litigation against Bayer Crop Science for its contamination of the U.S. rice supply with unapproved, genetically modified rice seed traits.

In re StarLink Corn Products Liability Litigation

DiCello Levitt obtained a record $110 million nationwide settlement for all U.S. corn farmers as Co-Lead Counsel in the biotechnology multidistrict litigation against Aventis CropScience and Garst Seed Company for their contamination of the U.S. corn supply with genetically modified seed traits. The plaintiffs’ leadership team devised an innovative damages model that is now used in every crop contamination case.

In re Imprelis Herbicide Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation

DiCello Levitt reached a nearly $600 million settlement for homeowners, golf course operators, and other property owners as Co-Lead Counsel in this nationwide class action lawsuit against DuPont, alleging that Imprelis turf herbicide killed millions of trees and other non-targeted vegetation and that DuPont knew or should have known were the dangers posed by Imprelis.