PCRM won its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), bringing national attention to the heavy influence of the meat, dairy, and egg industries in the creation of federal food policies. U.S. District Court Judge James Robertson ruled that the USDA violated federal law by withholding documents revealing bias among its advisory panel. PCRM staff attorney Mindy Kursban led the year-long battle, which culminated with the September 30 victory.