McKool Smith, along with Yetter Coleman LLP, has secured a $30 million jury verdict on behalf of Twinwood Cattle Company, Inc. (“Twinwood”) against the American Akaushi Association (“AAA”), HeartBrand Holdings, Inc. (“HeartBrand”) and the Chairman of the Board of both companies, Ronald Beeman. There has been extensive coverage of the verdict.
The McKool Smith trial team included Principal Veronica Manning.
Media Coverage:
- "Texas Jury Awards $40M in Japanese Cattle DNA Row," Law360 (07/19/2021)
"A jury in Fort Bend County, Texas, has determined that Twinwood Cattle Company is entitled to about $30 million in damages from the American Akaushi Association for breaching an agreement to provide proof of pedigree for Twinwood's registered Akaushi cattle."
- "Texas Breeder of Rare Red Wagyu Cattle Wins $30M Verdict," The Texas Lawbook (07/19/2021)
"A Fort Bend County jury has awarded more than $30 million to a Texas cattle company that claimed a breeding association withheld valuable information about the pedigree of the company’s rare Japanese cattle."
- "Verdict in Texas Cattle Suit Warns of Deceit in Negotiations," Food Logistics (07/20/2021)
"A unanimous jury verdict in a Texas case regarding cattle pedigree verifications exhibits why it is important to have clear negotiations and both parties must follow through. Trinwood Cattle Company is awarded $30 million after a jury verdict resulted in its favor, against the American Akaushi Association for not following through on providing DNA verified pedigree proof for the former's cattle. Firm McKool Smith along with Yetter Coleman LLP secured the verdict."
- "Texas Cattle Co. Wins Suit Against Breed Association," Drovers (07/21/2021)
A Texas jury has awarded a $30 million verdict to a cattle company after a three-year legal battle. Twinwood Cattle Co., Inc., Simonton, TX, claimed the American Akaushi Association breached its contract by withholding information on the pedigrees of its rare breed of Japanese cattle also known as Red Wagyu. In a unanimous verdict, Twinwood prevailed in the four-week trail over the American Akaushi Association (AAA), HeartBrand Holdings, Inc., and the chairman of the board of both entities, Ronald Beeman.
- "Fraud Verdict Against Akaushi Assoc.," Progressive Farmer (07/26/2021)
"As the value of DNA and cattle lineage continues to increase throughout the beef industry, it's notable that one of the world's most widely recognized premium branded programs has just been hit with a $30 million verdict for what a jury saw as failure to deliver on some key promises to buyers."
- "Fraud Verdict Against Akaushi Assoc.," Great American Insurance Group (07/26/2021)
"As the value of DNA and cattle lineage continues to increase throughout the beef industry, it's notable that one of the world's most widely recognized premium branded programs has just been hit with a $30 million verdict for what a jury saw as failure to deliver on some key promises to buyers."
- "Livestock: Fraud Verdict Against American Akaushi Association - DTN," AgFax (07/27/2021)
"As the value of DNA and cattle lineage continues to increase throughout the beef industry, it’s notable that one of the world’s most widely recognized premium branded programs has just been hit with a $30 million verdict for what a jury saw as failure to deliver on some key promises to buyers."