Keepseagle settlement

Keepseagle Claim Reminder

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open for Native American Farmers and Ranchers

 Those Eligible Must File Claims No Later than December 27, 2011

 WASHINGTON, October 13, 2011 – Janie Hipp, Senior Adviser to Secretary Vilsack for Tribal Relations today reminded Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open.

“The claims process opened mid-summer.  Native American farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlement must file a claim on or before December 27 in order to file a claim,” said Ms. Hipp. “Tribal leaders should consider advising Tribal members of the requirement to obtain and submit a completed claims package if they wish to participate in the Keepseagle claims process.  Claims meetings are still occurring and individuals can also call the toll-free number and get assistance with filing.”

Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.

The filing period opened June 29, 2011 and continues for 180 days, until December 27, 2011.

Up to $760 million will be made available in monetary relief, debt relief, and tax relief to successful claimants. There are two tracks for claims: Successful Track A claimants may receive up to $50,000; successful Track B claimants may receive up to $250,000. The standard of proof for Track B claims is a higher standard than what will be applied to Track A claims.

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Two Notices for Job Opportunities in Keepseagle Claims Settlement

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Sarah Vogel re: the Keepseagle Indian farmer settlement:

We have two types of income opportunities for attorneys, and one type of opportunity for claims consultants, who need not be attorneys.

The first notice is for lawyers in private practice who would work with Keepseagle claimants who want to pursue a “Track B” claim for an 8% contingency fee.  As you can see, my email is given as a principal point of contact for these attorneys.

Notice_of_Opportunity_for_Private_Counsel_to_Represent_Certain_Claimants_in_Keepseagle

The second notice deals with the opportunity for full time temporary attorneys and full time temporary claims consultants to work on Track A cases.  These individuals would be hired by Excelerate, which is an employment agency for attorneys that is working with class counsel.   These jobs would begin with training in late June and end in late December.  There is a special email for Keepseagle employment at the Excelerate agency.

Notice_of_Employment_Opportunities_for_Track_A_Attorneys_and_Claims_Consultants

Keepseagle Plaintiffs’ Memorandum on the Identification of Banks to Safeguard Settlement Funds

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Filed just yesterday:

Plaintiffs Supplemental Memorandum

BLT: Indian-Owned Bank Amongst Five to Hold Keepseagle Settlement Funds

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the BLT:

The plaintiffs’ lawyers overseeing the $750 million settlement in a discrimination suit brought by Native American farmers and ranchers proposed using five banks in which to deposit and invest settlement funds until the money is disbursed to class members.

Four banks—Bank of America Corporation, Wells Fargo & Company, Citigroup, Inc. and PNC Financial Services—would each receive about $150 million from the compensation fund payment to invest, the plaintiffs’ lawyers in Keepseagle v. Vilsack said in a court filing (PDF) April 22 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In addition, a fifth bank, Bank2 of Oklahoma, would receive about $18 million to hold. The plaintiffs’ team, led by Joseph Sellers of Washington’s Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, said Bank2 is owned by the Chickasaw Nation and is the largest mortgage lender to Native Americans. Sellers said the plaintiffs’ team sought out a Native American-owned bank to reinforce the settlement’s connection with the Indian community. The United States Department of Agriculture helped research the identification of a bank.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said in an order today that he wants the plaintiffs’ lawyers to discuss the bank selection process at a hearing Tuesday. The lawyers are meeting with Sullivan to go over a dispute about attorneys’ fees and costs. The judge asked the lawyers to come prepared to discuss, among other things, “the credentials” of the selected banks.

One hopes the Chickasaw-owned bank isn’t worrying the judge….

White House Statement on Passage of Claims Settlement Act of 2010

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2010

 

Statement by the President on the Senate Passage of the Claims Settlement Act of 2010

 

I applaud the Senate for passing the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, which will at long last provide funding for the agreements reached in the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers, and the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans over the management of Indian trust accounts and resources.  I particularly want to thank Attorney General Holder and Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack for their continued work to achieve this outcome.  I urge the House to move forward with this legislation as they did earlier this year, and I look forward to signing it into law.

 

This bill also includes settlements for four separate water rights suits made by Native American tribes.  I support these settlements and my Administration is committed to addressing the water needs of tribal communities.  While these legislative achievements reflect important progress, they also serve to remind us that much work remains to be done. That is why my Administration also continues to work to resolve claims of past discrimination made by women and Hispanic farmers against the USDA.

 

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