Keepseagle Update: Extension granted in USDA discrimination lawsuit
The Bismarck Tribune
Brian Gehring
4/14/2010
A federal judge Wednesday approved a joint motion for a one-month extension on a deadline for settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by Native American farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The lawsuit, filed more than a decade ago, alleges the USDA discriminated against Native American farmers in its lending practices.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan extended the time for a settlement to May 26 with a joint status report due May 20.
Two North Dakota farmers are among the original litigants in the case which was filed under then-U.S. ag secretary Dan Glickman.
Joseph Sellers, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said his clients agreed to the 30-day extension to determine if there is a “real possibility” of settlement.
“At the request of the USDA, the plaintiffs agreed to request a brief additional stay of the litigation in the hope that the additional time will permit the parties to make real progress in establishing a basis for settlement,” Sellers said in a statement.
The lawsuit, filed more than a decade ago, alleges the USDA discriminated against Native American farmers in its lending practices.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan extended the time for a settlement to May 26 with a joint status report due May 20.
Two North Dakota farmers are among the original litigants in the case which was filed under then-U.S. ag secretary Dan Glickman.
Joseph Sellers, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said his clients agreed to the 30-day extension to determine if there is a “real possibility” of settlement.
“At the request of the USDA, the plaintiffs agreed to request a brief additional stay of the litigation in the hope that the additional time will permit the parties to make real progress in establishing a basis for settlement,” Sellers said in a statement.
Settlement Talks Extended in Billion-Dollar Native American Suit Against USDA
The BLT: The Blog of the Legal Times
April 16, 2010