Farmers thought they were “trading up” from the simple tractors made in the 70’s and 80’s when they bought new high-tech John Deere products. Unfortunately, Deere held the exclusive rights to repair the new equipment, resulting in high costs and delays in operations for farmers.

That’s why the farmers are fighting back in court, demanding the right to repair their John Deere equipment. They scored a significant win last week when the Illinois federal court hearing the class action case said the case was going forward.

On November 27, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Iain D. Johnston denied Defendant Deere & Co.’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings in its entirety, rejecting Deere’s effort to escape the right to repair lawsuit brought by American farmers.

The Court’s order and opinion may be viewed here.

Virginia Buchanan, a partner at Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR), and a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Deere litigation (Case: 3:22-cv-50188) represents Florida farmers whose operations have been affected by the limitations in their rights to repair their Deere equipment. Buchanan characterized the ruling as a major step forward for all farmers.

“Judge Johnson’s ruling opens the doors to the courthouse for American farmers, so their story can be told,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan is representing a Florida farmer in this consolidated class action lawsuit.

About Virginia Buchanan

Virginia Buchanan is a shareholder at Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor, Buchanan, O’Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A., having joined the firm in 1989. She has served as lead/co-lead counsel in more than 50 jury trials, with results exceeding $500 million. She has a national practice and works extensively in her local Pensacola and surrounding community. She is a member of Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Legal Elite, and listed by Martindale-Hubbell as a Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury. She has been repeatedly designated as a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Top Consumer Lawyer.