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 …
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 …
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 …
Fixing “Broken Windows” On Your Farm: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Last week I finished the book “Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell (admittedly, while I was laying on a beach over Memorial Day weekend). I read “Outliers” last summer and “Blink” several years go and I think Gladwell’s books make for a thought-provoking quick read. The premise of the book is about how the “little things” can make a big difference …
Animal Law Mediation
I was recently asked whether I handle animal law mediation. And the answer is, “why yes I do.” I am a previous member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Animals in the Law, New Jersey State Bar Association Committee on Animal Law, and the New York Lawyers’ Association Committee on Animal Law. I have also had …
Legal Webinar Regarding Farm Animal Space
I want to give a brief shout-out on a webinar presented by Elizabeth Rumley from the National Agricultural Law Center on the “Legal Issues in Animal Agriculture: Regulating Living Space.” I had an opportunity to hear Elizabeth Rumley present during this online agriculture law class last year and she’s one smart cookie (she’ll be presenting again this year). You can …
Why You Might Want To Consider Virtual Mediation Via Skype
I recently read this blog post and it made me think: why would someone prefer “virtual mediation” via Skype or some other video conferencing tool? Lots of reasons. Here are a few: 1. Travel Time/Expense. Perhaps you are a food or agriculture producer or agribusiness owner and do not live/work around New York City. Or perhaps you live in New …
Debrief from Skype Conversation About Being an Ag Lawyer
I had the opportunity to speak to a great crew via Skype last Friday about being an agriculture lawyer. It’s casual “open mic” style so we talked about whatever the participants wanted to talk about. I have been getting a lot of these types of inquiries lately from folks in many different stages of life/career. I want to note a …
Does Your Farm or Agri-Business Need To File a Certificate of Assumed Name?
Many farms and agribusinesses operate as a DBA (“doing business as”) or an “assumed name.” Many businesses in the state of New York, including those involved in the food and agriculture industry, are not properly registered. Pursuant to Section 130 of the NY General Business Law, no person or entity can “(i) carry on or conduct or transact business in …
So What Exactly is this Mediation Thing?
I have been blogging lately about mediation – but what is it exactly? Mediation is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) and is sharply different than arbitration. A mediator does not make the decision about the outcome of the case; instead, the parties (and their attorneys, if applicable) work toward a solution together. The mediator helps to facilitate this …
Professional Service Limited Liability Companies in New York
Recently, during a real estate closing a borrower looked at my business card and asked me what a “PLLC” was. I thought it would be worth clarifying on this blog for my readers. Pursuant to Article 12 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law, a professional service limited liability company (PLLC) may be formed by one or more attorney …
Types of Farm Leases: Cash-Rent vs. Crop-Share
Happy Friday! Last week, I stumbled across Rusty Rumley’s powerpoint presentation on “Agricultural Contracts and the Leasing of Land.” Rusty does a great job giving an overview of the building blocks. He’s a great teacher — he was one of my instructors in this agriculture law course last year— and I suggest looking at his presentation along with other useful …