Morris v. The Kraft Heinz Company, et al
| Demarius Morris |
| The Kraft Heinz Company, Mondelez International, Inc., Mondelez Global, LLC, Post Holdings, Inc., Post Consumer Brands, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Nestle USA, Inc, Kellanova, WK Kellogg Co., Mars Incorporated, Inc. and Conagra Brands, Inc. |
| 1:2026cv00199 |
| June 4, 2026 |
| U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama |
| Jeffrey U Beaverstock |
| Sonja F Bivins |
| P.I.: Other |
| 28 U.S.C. § 1332 Diversity Action |
| Plaintiff |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on July 28, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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Filing 60
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #59 Motion for Stephen D. Andrews to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/28/2026. (cgc)
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| MOTIONS REFERRED: #59 MOTION and APPLICATION for Stephen D. Andrews to Appear Pro Hac Vice; Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (cjr) |
| Filing 59 MOTION and APPLICATION for Stephen D. Andrews to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3848458, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc.. (Attachments: #1 Certificate of Good Standing - District of Columbia, #2 Certificate of Good Standing - California) (Andrews, Stephen) |
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Filing 58
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #53 Motion for Michelle A. Ramirez to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/22/2026. (bld)
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Filing 57
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #54 Motion for Carla Morgan Branch to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/21/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 56 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. Mondelez Global, LLC served on 6/10/2026, answer due 7/1/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 55 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. Mondelez International, Inc. served on 6/16/2026, answer due 7/7/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 54 MOTION and APPLICATION for Carla Morgan Branch to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3844987, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by The Kraft Heinz Company. (Attachments: #1 Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Certificate of Good Standing, #3 Certificate of Good Standing) (Branch, Morgan) (Additional attachment(s) added on 7/21/2026: #4 Certificate of Good Standing from North District of Illinois) (cjr). |
| Filing 53 MOTION and APPLICATION for Michelle A. Ramirez to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3844982, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by The Kraft Heinz Company. (Attachments: #1 Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Certificate of Good Standing) (Ramirez, Michelle) |
| Filing 52 Document endorsed NOTED by Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock: Corporate Disclosure Statement #47 filed by Conagra Brands, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal in this action. (jil) |
| MOTIONS REFERRED: #54 MOTION and APPLICATION for Carla Morgan Branch to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. A Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (fz) |
| MOTIONS REFERRED: #53 MOTION and APPLICATION for Michelle A. Ramirez to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. A Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (fz) |
| Filing 51 NOTICE of Appearance by M. Wesley Smithart on behalf of General Mills, Inc. (Smithart, M.) |
| Filing 50 NOTICE of Appearance by Harlan I. Prater, IV on behalf of General Mills, Inc. (Prater, Harlan) |
| Filing 49 NOTICE of Appearance by Lana Alcorn Olson on behalf of General Mills, Inc. (Olson, Lana) |
| Filing 48 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #47 filed by Conagra Brands, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 47 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendant Conagra Brands, Inc.. (Stevens, Scott) |
| Filing 46 NOTICE of Appearance by Scott D. Stevens on behalf of Conagra Brands, Inc. (Stevens, Scott) |
| Filing 45 NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin Tennant Presley on behalf of Conagra Brands, Inc. (Presley, Benjamin) |
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Filing 44
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #43 Motion for Dane H. Butswinkas to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/13/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 43 MOTION and APPLICATION for Dane H. Butswinkas to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3841212, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc.. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Exhibit) (Butswinkas, Dane) (Additional attachment(s) added on 7/13/2026: #3 Certificate of Good Standing) (fz). |
| MOTIONS REFERRED: #43 MOTION and APPLICATION for Dane H. Butswinkas to Appear Pro Hac Vice; Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (cjr) |
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Filing 42
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #41 Motion for Julie Schindel to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/9/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 41 MOTION and APPLICATION for Julie Schindel to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3840220, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by Nestle USA, Inc. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit MD District Court Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Exhibit MD Supreme Court Certificate of Good Standing) (Schindel, Julie) |
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Filing 40
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #39 Motion for Lauren Colton to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 7/9/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 39 MOTION and APPLICATION for Lauren Colton to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3840017, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by Nestle USA, Inc. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit MD District Court Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Exhibit MD Supreme Court Certificate of Good Standing) (Colton, Lauren) |
| Filing 38 Document endorsed NOTED by Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock: Corporate Disclosure Statement #27 filed by The Coca-Cola Company, Corporate Disclosure Statement #35 filed by Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc., Corporate Disclosure Statement #28 filed by WK Kellogg Co., Corporate Disclosure Statement #32 filed by Nestle USA, Inc, and Corporate Disclosure Statement #34 filed by Mars Incorporated, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal in this action. (jil) |
| MOTIONS REFERRED: #41 MOTION and APPLICATION for Julie Schindel to Appear Pro Hac Vice; Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (cjr) |
| MOTIONS REFERRED: #39 MOTION and APPLICATION for Lauren Colton to Appear Pro Hac Vice; Referred to Judge Sonja F. Bivins. (cjr) |
| Filing 37 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #35 filed by Kellanova. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 36 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #34 filed by Mars Incorporated, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 35 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendants Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc., Mars, Incorporated, Mars, Incorporated, Acquiror 10VB8, LLC, Acquiror 10VB8, LLC identifying Corporate Parent Mars, Incorporated, Corporate Parent Acquiror 10VB8, LLC for Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc... (Buffkin, Russell) |
| Filing 34 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Mars Incorporated, Inc.. (Buffkin, Russell) Modified on 7/8/2026 (cjr). |
| Filing 33 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #32 filed by Nestle USA, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 32 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendant Nestle USA, Inc. (Bussian, James) |
| Filing 31 NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Hart Benton, III on behalf of WK Kellogg Co. (Benton, Thomas) |
| Filing 30 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #28 filed by WK Kellogg Co. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 29 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #27 filed by The Coca-Cola Company. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 28 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendants WK Kellogg Co., Ferrero International S.A. identifying Corporate Parent Ferrero International S.A. for WK Kellogg Co... (Helmsing, Frederick) |
| Filing 27 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendant The Coca-Cola Company. (Upchurch, Michael) |
| Filing 26 NOTICE of Appearance by Michael E. Upchurch on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company (Upchurch, Michael) |
| Filing 25 Document endorsed NOTED by Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock: Corporate Disclosure Statement #21 filed by The Kraft Heinz Company and Corporate Disclosure Statement #23 filed by PepsiCo, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal in this action. (jil) Modified on 7/9/2026 (jil). |
| Filing 24 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #23 filed by PepsiCo, Inc. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 23 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendant PepsiCo, Inc.. (Berdy, Christopher) |
| Filing 22 Document endorsed NOTED by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins: Corporate Disclosure Statement Doc. #21 filed by The Kraft Heinz Company. A review does not reveal any reason to believe that there are potential conflicts of interest that would require recusal of the Magistrate Judge in this action. (bld) |
| Filing 21 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Defendant The Kraft Heinz Company. (Terenzi, Elizabeth) |
| Filing 20 Case Reassigned to Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock. To insure that your pleadings are referred to the proper Judge and Magistrate Judge with as little delay as possible, please use the letter suffix JB-B after the case number on all future pleadings. (srd) |
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Filing 19
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #18 Defendants' Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint and Request for Increase in Page Limitations. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 6/30/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 18 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint and Request for Increase in Page Limitations filed by WK Kellogg Co.. (Helmsing, Frederick) |
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Filing 17
ENDORSED ORDER granting Doc. #16 Motion for Frank Michael Petosa to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 6/26/2026. (bld)
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| Filing 16 MOTION and APPLICATION for FRANK MICHAEL PETOSA to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney affirms that a certificate of good standing that complies with #S.D. Ala. GenLR 83.3(d) is attached. ( Filing fee $ 100, Receipt number AALSDC-3833578, Online Credit Card Payment) filed by Demarius Morris. (Attachments: #1 Florida Bar Certificate of Good Standing, #2 Supreme Court of Florida Certificate of Good Standing) (Brannan, James) (Additional attachment(s) added on 6/26/2026: #3 Certificate from SD of Florida) (srd). |
| Filing 15 NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth Nicholson Terenzi on behalf of The Kraft Heinz Company (Terenzi, Elizabeth) |
| Filing 14 NOTICE of Appearance by Bruce F. Rogers on behalf of The Kraft Heinz Company (Rogers, Bruce) |
| Filing 13 AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by Demarius Morris. (Brannan, James) |
| REFERRAL OF #13 Amended Complaint to Judge Bivins. (srd) |
| Filing 12 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 11 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. The Coca-Cola Company served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 10 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. Nestle USA, Inc served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 9 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. Mars Incorporated, Inc. served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 8 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. PepsiCo, Inc. served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 7 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. Post Holdings, Inc. served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
| Filing 6 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Demarius Morris. The Kraft Heinz Company served on 6/9/2026, answer due 6/30/2026 (Brannan, James) |
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Filing 5
Order re: #1 Complaint filed by Demarius Morris. Plaintiff is ORDERED to file, on or before 6/15/2026, an amended complaint as set out. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 06/08/2026. (srd)
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Filing 4
Service Order entered 6/5/2026. Plaintiff to notify the Court the action taken to effect service and the results thereof. Service order deadline set to 7/20/2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 06/05/2026. (srd)
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| Filing 3 Summons Issued as to Conagra Brands, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Kellanova, Mars Incorporated, Inc., Mondelez Global, LLC, Mondelez International, Inc., Nestle USA, Inc, PepsiCo, Inc., Post Consumer Brands, LLC, Post Holdings, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, The Kraft Heinz Company, WK Kellogg Co.. Note to Counsel: The Summons have been issued. Please print copies necessary for service. (srd) |
| Filing 2 Notice of Assignment to Magistrate Judge for trial. (Attachments: #1 Request for Reassignment) (srd) |
| Filing 1 COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $405 receipt number AALSDC-3823796, Online Credit Card Payment), filed by All Plaintiffs. 90 day Rule 4m deadline set for 9/2/2026. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet Addendum, #3 Summons- CONAGRA BRANDS, INC., #4 Summons MARS INCORPORATED, INC, #5 Summons- WK KELLOGG CO, #6 Summons- KELLANOVA, #7 Summons- NESTLE USA, INC, #8 Summons- GENERAL MILLS, INC, #9 Summons- PEPSICO, INC, #10 Summons- THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, #11 Summons- POST CONSUMER BRANDS LLC, #12 Summons- POST HOLDINGS, INC, #13 Summons- Mondelez International LLC, #14 Summons- Mondelez International Inc, #15 Summons- Kraft Heinz) (Brannan, James) (Main Document 1 replaced on 6/4/2026) (jmr). |
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