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 …
Interested in Learning More about California’s Proposed GM Food Labeling Law?
The American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (“SEER”) will be hosting a program titled California’s Proposed GM Food Labeling Law: Pros, Cons, and Legal Issues on tomorrow, July 31, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 EST. The program is co-sponsored by the International Environmental Law Committee; the Pesticides, Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know Committee; the National Agricultural Law Center; and the American Agricultural Law Association …
My Presentation on Livestock Animal Welfare Law
Last May, I spoke at the Animal Agriculture Alliance (“AAA”) Stakeholder’s Summit on livestock animal welfare law. If you follow this blog then you know this topic is a passion of mine. You can view my presentation below. [slideshare id=13344363&doc=whenactivistscomecalling-120615170954-phpapp01] In case you missed it, here are a few other posts that may be of interest: 1. 5 State Approaches …
Appointed as the Chair of the ABA GP Solo Agriculture Law Committee for 2012-2013
For the second year in a row, I have been appointed as the Chair of the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee for the 2012-2013 year. It has been an exciting first year getting the Committee up and going again with two fantastic Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) webinars on crop/livestock insurance and …
Three Years and the Fun Keeps Coming…
Happy Third Year Anniversary to this blog! Seems like just yesterday I was writing this second year anniversary post. Time flies when you are having fun! It’s been an exciting third year of this blog. Here are a few highlights: 1. This law blog (“blawg”) made the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) Top 100 Blawg list. Nominations for 2012 are right …
Debrief From Skype Conversation About Being An Agriculture Attorney
I hope that my readers had a wonderful Fourth of July vacation and were able to spend some time in the sun. I had a nice time running again and spending time on a few beaches on Long Island including Shelter Island and Robert Moses Beach. Some R & R is always a good thing. Last Friday, I enjoyed a …
My Presentation on Drafting Farm Partnership Agreements
Last fall I spoke at the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) 32nd Agriculture Law Symposium on partnership agreements for farms and ranches. Although there is likely a better choice of entity, general partnerships are common among the agriculture community and easily overlooked when there is a good relationship among the partners (or family members). Even so, I highly recommend memorializing …
Will Be Attending the American Agriculture Law Association Annual Agriculture Law Symposium
I will be attending the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Annual Agriculture Law Symposium on October 19-20, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. I highly recommend the conference if you are a lawyer or law student hoping to build a food and agriculture law practice. Registration forms will be available later this summer. If you are a law student, there are travel …
More Than a Handshake: Some Thoughts on Farm Leases
I make no secret on this blog that I believe farmers and ranchers should make sure to get contracts in writing, including farm or ranch leases. I want to stress that this is just as important for a family farm where the Landlord and Tenant may be family members. Even if the Landlord and Tenant are different entities (with the …
5 State Approaches for Using Animal Societies to Enforce Animal Cruelty Statutes
As I have noted in this blog on several occasions, duly incorporated animal societies in the State of New York have the authority to search and seize livestock. This article does a nice job illustrating the five state law approaches with using animal societies to enforce livestock animal cruelty laws. Ordinary Rights The majority of states have this approach. In …
Debrief From Skype Convo About Being an Agriculture Attorney
Wow. Cannot believe how fast May is passing. Time flies when you are having fun. I had a pleasant conversation with some lovely ladies earlier this month who wish to have a career in agriculture law. Here were a couple of the questions. 1. How did you get started? I started my law practice by moving to New York City …