Food Seminars International (“FSI”) will be having a 90 min. food law webinar on September 5, 2012 at 2pm ET on Genetically Engineered (“GE”) Animals. Dr. Alison L. Van Eenennaam from UC Davis will be presenting on the following issues: (1) Current status of research and development in GE animals; (2) Regulation of GE animals in the United States (including …
Harvard’s Food Law & Policy Career Guide
Big thanks to Jean Terranova (@JeanTerranova for you Twitter folks) for sending me the Food Law and Policy Career Guide by the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic and Harvard Food Law Society. I think it’s an excellent resource for folks interested in a career in food & agriculture law. The guide briefly notes areas of concentration including agriculture, biotechnology/GMOs, …
New York State Farmers Markets
I was recently reminded of this expansive list of farmers markets (organized by county) throughout New York State by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets. You can find the winter markets here. In New York City, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket, Community Markets and Harvest Home are the Big 3. I’m excited about the growth of farmers markets in both urban and …
The Collaborative Divorce – The Right Fit For You?
Collaborative law is an alternative to a lengthy, expensive, and adversarial litigation process. Couples, with the assistance of their attorneys (and sometimes other professionals), make joint decisions regarding the dissolution of their marriage. In order for the collaborative process to work, both the husband and wife must agree to work effectively together to reach goals that satisfy both parties. Trust …
Estate Planning is More Than Just Getting a Last Will and Testament
Many people think that “estate planning” is really just hiring a lawyer or downloading a program off the internet (which I do not suggest) to draft a Last Will and Testament. However, it’s more complicated than that. A good estate planning attorney will have you complete a questionnaire giving him/her information on your family tree, assets and liabilities in order …
Would Love a Shout-Out in the Best of the Barns Competition
Ranch House Designs, Inc. recently announced that it is taking recommendations for its innagural Best of the Barns Competition. Each day it will be asking for recommendations for one of its many categories via its Facebook page. You can also email recommendations to kc@ranchhousedesigns.com. Last year, I was the lucky winner of the Best Agriculture Lawyer. Huge thanks goes to …
Appointed as Vice-Chair of a Special Committee for ABA Section of the Environment, Energy & Resources
Want something done? Ask a busy person (or so it seems). I was recently appointed to serve as the Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Special Committee on Section, Division and Forum Coordination (“SDFC”) for the Section of the Environment, Energy and Resources. (Whew- that’s a mouthful…) I’m looking forward to working with the Special Committee delving into environmental …
Free Ag Law Webinar For Folks Affected By the Drought
The National Agriculture Law Center will host a free webinar covering legal issues relating to the 2012 drought including federal crop insurance and disaster assistance, hay transportation, U.S Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) drought initiatives available for producers, and update on the 2012 Farm Bill provisions relevant to drought issues. The webinar will be on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 12-1pm …
Would Love Your Recommendation for the ABA Blawg 100
To my beloved readers… It’s that time of year again when the American Bar Association (“ABA”) is searching for the best 100 law blogs (“blawgs”). Last year, I made the coveted list and would love to do again.. but can only do so with your help. If you are a fan of this Food, Farm & Family Law Blog please …
How is Durational Spousal Maintenance Calculated in New York?
Pursuant to a divorce, spousal maintenance may be awarded for life, not at all, or for a fixed period of time. In New York, lifetime maintenance is awarded in extremely rare circumstances. Durational maintenance is awarded to the lesser-monied spouse of a divorce for a defined, fixed term. The purpose of durational maintenance is to enable the lesser-moneyed spouse to …
Save the Date: Local Food Law Seminar at Pace Law School on October 29th
I’m excited to announce that I will be a faculty member for a Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) seminar at Pace University, School of Law (my alum) on Monday October 29th, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30pm titled “Survey of Local Food.” Just as the title indicates, the speakers will be presenting on a myriad of practice areas affecting the local food …
Estate Planning Isn’t Just For the Elderly
Let’s face it. Estate planning is easy to push off. What’s another week… another month… another year… another five years… After all, I’m healthy. My spouse is healthy. We don’t have kids. We don’t have a lot of assets. I don’t care if what-little-I-do-have follows the rules of intestacy (i.e., the “default rules” if you die without a Last Will …