I have been asked to be an Alumni Ambassador for Pace University, School of Law to students at Texas A & M University. I’m a proud Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2002 – I received my B.S. in Animal Science (on the west side of the railroad tracks!). If you are a student at Texas A & M University and …
Meditation Retreat for Lawyers
I was quoted in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal about the mediation retreat for lawyers that I attended last month at the Garrison Institute. An attorney friend here in New York City talked me into attending a few months ago after I was complaining to her about stress. The retreat was at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, New York (near West …
How are Executors to a Will Compensated in New York?
An executor is someone appointed by the decedent to carry out the instructions per the will and administer the estate (the balance of the decedent’s property as of his or her death). An executor’s duties include: 1. Having the will probated. Probate is the process by which the surrogate’s court determines if a will is valid. To make a valid …
New York Family Law: Relocation of Non-Custodial Parent
A client recently asked me: what happens when the non-custodial parent wishes to relocate outside of New York City greater area? She was the custodial parent in this case. Unlike with a custodial parent wishing to relocate, the law does not require the non-custodial parent to seek permission by the court, absent a separation agreement by the parties saying otherwise. …
Overview of the USDA Economic Research Service
I’m currently conducting a blog series where each week I give an overview of the responsibilities of a government agency regulating our food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful reminder for everyone on just how complex our regulatory system really is. It’s a game of Who’s Who for government players in the U.S. food and agriculture economy. The …
Need an Embryo Transfer Contract? Questionnaire for Recipient Agreements
As I mentioned in this article, this outline,and this PowerPoint presentation, there are three types of embryo transfer (“ET”) contracts with livestock. I developed a questionnaire for clients interested in obtaining a Recipient Agreement with either beef or dairy cattle, the most common type of ET contract. You can find it here. I work on a flat fee basis with ET …
Land Use Tools for Promoting Urban & Suburban Agriculture
According to Dean Patricia Salkin in American Bar Association’s “Counseling the Local Food Movement” (May 2012), the following zoning tools can be used to promote small-scale agriculture production within city limits: Comprehensive Plans. This is the over-arching plan upon which land use regulations are adopted. It is important that the comprehensive plan itself emphasize the importance of small-scale commercial agriculture …
Grow NYC Report on Greenmarket Farmers: “Farmers on the Edge”
Last month, I had an opportunity to visit with someone at Grow NYC (who runs Greenmarket), who shared this report with me (funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation): “Farmers on the Edge: An Assessment of Greenmarket Farmers’ Needs, and the Growing Challenges of Keeping Their Farms Viable.” I finally had an opportunity to review the report in detail. It …
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 …
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 …
Last Day to Register for Local Food CLE
Don’t forget that tomorrow I will be moderating a local food law CLE for the American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm (“GP Solo”) Division’s Agriculture Law Committee titled “Counseling the Local Food Movement: What a Practitioner Should Know” discussing procurement laws for local food, direct farm marketing (farmers markets, CSA’s), Food Safety Modernization Act exemptions, Cottage …
Will be Presenting at the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit
I will be speaking at the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance (“AAA”) Stakeholders Summit next month in Washington, D.C. on livestock animal welfare law. More specifically, I will be presenting on May 3rd during the “Legal Workshop” part of the program. The title of the presentation is “When Activists Come Calling – Know Your Rights.” I will give an overview of …