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Press Release
SOURCE:
Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein, P.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago
Law Firm Intervenes on Behalf of Prominent Members of the Vegetarian
Community in Settlement of Controversial McDonald's French Fries
Case
Clients assert that proposed allocation of settlement
funds is improperly weighted to non-vegetarian groups
CHICAGO, IL
- February 19, 2003 - Michael B. Hyman, principal with Chicago law
firm Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein, P.C. announced
today that he has successfully intervened in a proposed settlement
with McDonald's corporation on behalf of a group of prominent members
of the vegetarian community. At issue is the proposed allocation
of $6 million in funds to be directed to vegetarian organizations.
The funds are the result of a proposed settlement in a class action
suit filed against fast food giant McDonald's over its failure to
disclose the inclusion of beef products in the preparation of its
French fries and hash browns.
The objectors
assert that the $6 million distribution, as proposed, violates the
terms of the settlement agreement by improperly directing funds
to non-vegetarian groups, groups hostile to vegetarianism and groups
in limited size and geographical reach.
"This proposed
distribution violates not just the letter, but the spirit of the
settlement agreement," Hyman said.
Specifically,
the proposed settlement disbursements are directed at twelve organizations.
Of the twelve, Hyman and the objectors argue that seven are clearly
not vegetarian organizations, and an eighth, The Vegetarian Resource
Group - earmarked for $1.4 million, or 23% of the settlement dollars
- originally opposed the lawsuit. The court has set February 25
to specifically rule on the proposed distribution plan.
Hyman concluded
by saying, "This settlement should promote the values of the
vegetarian community, but as proposed, it is far from achieving
its purpose."
About Much
Shelist and Michael B. Hyman
Much Shelist
is a Chicago law firm of 90 lawyers established in 1970 with a national
business and litigation practice. Michael B. Hyman, a principal
in the firm, has a practice that concentrates in contingent matters
and consumer, antitrust and securities litigation. On behalf of
consumers, the firm has litigated high-profile class actions involving
infant formula, frequent flyer miles, auto repairs, tires, seatbelts,
tax-preparation services, billing for medical testing, drought insurance,
and telephone services, among others. Mr. Hyman is one of the foremost
class action practictioners in the United States and has been one
of the lead attorneys in lawsuits against State Farm Insurance,
H.& R. Block, American Airlines, and Prudential Insurance. He
can be contacted at 312.521.2444 or by e-mail at mbhyman@muchshelist.com
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