Downing v. Riceland Foods, Inc.

SHEPHERD, Circuit Judge.

Plaintiffs, a group of attorneys who performed work on behalf of farmers in underlying multi-district litigation regarding genetically-modified rice, brought a class action suit against Riceland Foods, Inc. (“Riceland”), requesting the district court compel Riceland to contribute a portion of its recoveries in various cases to the common benefit fund established by the district court to compensate Plaintiffs for their work. In response to Plaintiffs’ unjust enrichment and quantum meruit claims, Riceland counterclaimed, asserting breach of contract and tortious…