CHICAGO - A federal judge is reviewing a case where two law firms asked to be awarded nearly $60 million in attorney’s fees after they represented various plaintiffs in settlements on poultry price-fixing litigation. 

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC stated in their motion that they are hoping to recoup fees and costs accumulated over five years of representing consumers in the class action lawsuit.

The two entities, who filed their motion in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, are looking for $59.7 million in attorney’s fees and reimbursement of $8.75 million to cover a portion of out of-pocket litigation expenses.

According to the filing, the law firms secured $181 million in settlements from various cases that involved Tyson Foods Inc., Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and other major poultry processors, especially during 2021. 

Many lawsuits have been filed against the poultry industry regarding accusations of driving up chicken prices and cutting supply from 2008 to 2016.