Don M.
Downing

A native of Kennett, Missouri, Mr. Downing earned a degree in economics from the University of Missouri in 1979 (cum laude), and a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1982, where he served as an editor on the Missouri Law Review. He served as law clerk for the Honorable Edward L. Filippine, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Mr. Downing is a licensed attorney in Missouri and Illinois, before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eighth Circuit, and U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.

Notable Cases:

In re: Dicamba Herbicides Litigation (E.D. Mo.) – Herbicide drift, extensive crop damage

• Co-Lead Counsel: MDL mass tort action
• Lead negotiator: $400 million mass tort settlement
• Lead negotiator: $4.7 million non-soybean farmer settlements

In re: Syngenta AG MIR 162 Corn Litigation (D. Kan.) – Contamination of U.S. corn supply

• Co-Lead and Class Counsel: MDL class actions
• Trial Counsel: bellwether trial for Kansas farmers; $217.7 million verdict
• $1.51 billion global class action settlement

In re: Genetically Modified Rice Litigation (E.D. Mo.) – Contamination of U.S. rice supply

• Co-Lead Counsel: MDL mass tort action
• Trial counsel: three bellwether trials for Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana rice farmers; $4 million collective plaintiffs’ verdicts
• Lead negotiator: $750 million farmer settlement; over $1.1 billion total settlement

In re: Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd., Marketing and Sales Pracs. Litig. (E.D. Mo) – Pet food mislabeling

• Executive Committee: MDL class action
• $ 32 million class action settlement

Mary Plubell v. Merck & Co. (Jackson County Missouri) – Consumer fraud: Vioxx

• Class Counsel: class action
• Co-Lead negotiator: $220 million class action settlement

Quinn v. BJC Healthcare Corp. (City of St. Louis) – Overcharges to uninsured patients

• Class Counsel: class action
• Lead negotiator: $267 class action settlement

Weinschenk v. State of Missouri – Constitutionality of photo ID requirement to vote

• Lead Plaintiffs’ Trial Counsel – Obtained judgment of unconstitutionality
• Lead Appellate Counsel – Trial judgment affirmed

Awards and Recognitions:

Best Lawyers In America:

• St. Louis Litigation – Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year (2022)
• St. Louis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action – Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year (2021)
• St. Louis Litigation – Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year (2020)
• St. Louis Litigation – Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year (2018)
• St. Louis Litigation – Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year (2016)
• St. Louis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year (2015)
• St. Louis Litigation – Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year (2014)
• St. Louis Litigation – Antitrust Lawyer of the Year (2013)

Missouri Lawyers Weekly:

• Commercial & Consumer Litigation “Power 30 Attorney” (2020-2021)
• ICON Award (2020)
• Influential Lawyer Award (2018)
• Top Plaintiff’s Settlement Award (2018)
• Legal Champion Award (2011)

Chambers and Partners, Band 1 rating (highest), Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs (2021)

American Agricultural Law Association, Excellence in Agricultural Law Award (2020)

Faculty-Alumni Award, Mizzou Alumni Association (2015)

Merit Selection Panel Member, U.S. Magistrate Judge (2013)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2012)

University of Missouri Law School Citation of Merit (2011)

American Lawyer Litigation Daily, National Litigator of the Week (July 7, 2011)

Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2006 – present)

Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers – Top 50 in St. Louis and Top 100 in Missouri and Kansas

Best Lawyers in America (2005 – present)

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory