Rural Attorney Shortages and Legal Deserts: How States Are Expanding Access to Justice examines a growing challenge facing rural America. Many rural communities do not have enough attorneys to meet the legal needs of residents, farmers, families, and local businesses. Rincker Law attorneys Sam Ellis and Cari Brett Rincker recently examined several efforts aimed at addressing this problem, including expanded …
Agricultural Law Updates for 2026: What Farmers and Agribusinesses Should Know examines several federal and Illinois developments that may affect farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners, food businesses, and other members of the agricultural industry. Rincker Law attorneys Sam Ellis and Cari Brett Rincker recently reviewed major developments involving the 2026 Farm Bill, pesticide regulation, specialty crop assistance, antitrust enforcement, rural development, …
Summer Agritourism Legal Risks: What Farm Owners Should Know is an increasingly important topic for farms that welcome the public. U-pick fields, farm tours, livestock encounters, educational workshops, farm dinners, and seasonal activities can create new sources of revenue. They can also expose the operation to legal and financial risks that may not exist on a production-only farm. Before inviting …
Trademark Protection for Farms, Food Businesses, and Agricultural Brands should be considered before a business invests heavily in packaging, signs, websites, merchandise, or advertising. A farm may spend years building recognition around a name or logo, only to discover that another business has earlier rights in a similar mark. Addressing trademark issues early can help reduce the risk of an …
Resolving agribusiness partner disputes through mediation can help farm families, agricultural business owners, and rural entrepreneurs protect their business interests while preserving important relationships. When a dispute arises between business partners, co-owners, shareholders, LLC members, family members, or farm successors, the conflict can quickly affect daily operations, finances, land use, employees, vendors, and the future of the agricultural enterprise. In …
Starting an Agribusiness in Illinois: Legal and Business Planning Guide is an important topic for farmers, landowners, food producers, and rural entrepreneurs who want to turn an agricultural idea into a sustainable business. Whether you are launching a farm-based business, expanding an existing operation, selling value-added products, or forming a family-owned agribusiness in Central Illinois, careful legal and business planning …
Ag Law in the News: Key Federal and Illinois Agricultural Law Updates for 2026 highlights important legal and regulatory developments impacting farmers, landowners, agribusinesses, and rural communities. This article is based on a recent publication authored by Sam Ellis of Rincker Law, PLLC, with Cari B. Rincker serving as editor in the Illinois State Bar Association Agricultural Law Newsletter. Agricultural …
Key Legal Updates from the ISBA Agricultural Law Newsletter for Illinois Farmers highlight important legal developments impacting agricultural operations, farmland use, and rural businesses across Central Illinois. As Editor of the Illinois State Bar Association Agricultural Law Newsletter, Cari Rincker stays at the forefront of legal issues affecting farmers and landowners throughout the state. From Champaign to Springfield, Bloomington to …
Key Legal Insights from the ISBA Rural Practice Newsletter for Illinois Attorneys and Farmers highlight practical considerations that impact legal professionals, farmers, and rural communities across the state. As Co-Editor of the Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Newsletter, Cari Rincker helps bring forward important discussions that reflect the realities of practicing law and managing legal issues in rural Illinois. …
Rincker Law PLLC is proud to share that our principal attorney, Cari Rincker, was recently featured in an in-depth attorney profile in the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Rural Practice Section Newsletter. The profile, written by Sara Peska and Ean R. Albers, offers a detailed look into Cari’s career path, her return to rural Illinois, and her longstanding dedication to …
In this blog, “From Trademarks to Tractors: Why More Farmers Are Protecting Their Ag Brands and Innovations in 2026,” we explore the growing importance of intellectual property (IP) protection in modern agriculture. As Illinois farm families expand their businesses into online sales, ag-tech, and branded products, protecting their ideas and identity has become just as important as protecting their land …
In this blog, “Farms, Family, and Fairness: How the Next Generation of Farm Divorces Will Shape Ag Businesses in 2026,” we explore how the intersection of family and business law is reshaping the future of agricultural operations and generational wealth. Divorce in a farm family can be one of the most complex legal events because it affects not only the …