As some of you know, I received an A.S. in Agriculture from Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois. I was recently awarded the 2018 alumnus of the year award and will be speaking at the graduation ceremony in May ( #pressure!) . Here are some of my thoughts on my community college experience. When I reflect on my community college …
Illinois Federal Court Admissions
I’m proud to announce that I’ve now been admitted to all three federal district courts in Illinois. Although I practice primarily in state courts, I want to be prepared for my clients in case an issue arises in their life or business that will require a federal court appearance. I’m excited to have these credentials to better serve my Illinois …
Agriculture Law: Overview of Farm Labor Law Issues
[slideshare id=86116441&doc=farmlaborlaws-whatyouneedtoknow-180113203306] I gave this presentation last week at the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agri-Tourism and Organic Conference in Springfield, Illinois. It gives an overview of labor and employment law issues that affect farms and small to mid-sized agribusinesses. It discuss employee vs. independent contractor classifications, unpaid labor, hiring practices, minimum wage and overtime, child labor, Family Medical Leave Act, employment …
Business Law: General Release for Video-Tapped Testimonials
My office just drafted a simple general release form for an agri-business client seeking permission to videotape client testimonials and use the recordings online. I think it’s a great idea to have a simple consent form to use for these types of situations where video-taped, audio-recorded and/or written testimonials are used in marketing materials. I suggest having language about the …
Illinois Agriculture Law: Open Burning on Farms
Open burning is necessary for the practice of farming, but Illinois also has to balance that interest of farmers with the public interest in preserving clean air. For this reason, Illinois allows open burning for agricultural waste and landscape waste. Agricultural waste is refuse generated on site on a farm or ranch by crop and livestock production practices. What is …
New York Agriculture Law: Open Burning on Farms
Burning of garbage and leaves are illegal in New York, but there are specific laws which govern burning that since the regular operations of a farm typically involve the removal of trees and brush during field clearing and maintenance; the removal or trimming of diseased fruit canes, vines, and trees; and the removal of vegetative material from cultivated wetlands, among …
Ribbon Cutting for the Illinois Office
Big thanks to everyone who came out and supported the grand opening of the Rincker Law, PLLC’s Illinois Office in Downtown Champaign. Special thank you to the Champaign Chambers of Commerce for hosting the ribbon cutting offering us the opportunity. Photos from the event are on our Facebook page here.
Overview of Mediation
I will be speaking tomorrow at the crack of down tomorrow morning to the CU Sunrise Rotary Club on mediation. For those of you who are in Central Illinois, I would the support! The presentation is at 6:45am and coffee (and breakfast!) will be provided. Here are my materials for the presentation on mediation available on my JD Supra page …
An Overview of New York Right to Farm Law
New York, like most states, has its own “right-to-farm” law. Unfortunately for neighbors that are complaining of activities that are due to farming, right-to-farm laws serve to protect qualifying farmers and ranchers from nuisance lawsuits filed by individuals who move into a rural area where normal farming operations exist, and who later use nuisance actions to attempt to stop those …
Horses + Divorces, Grapes + Gripes, and Romantic Farmer Prenups
I’m talking the intersect between family/matrimonial law and agriculture in Tiffany Dowell Lashmet’s podcast “Ag Law in the Field”. I’m on Episode 4 and you can listen to the podcast interview here or download it via iTunes. I talk about why I love prenups and Alternative Dispute Resolution with divorce, especially in the contest of agriculture. I also give some …
Tips for Running a Family Biz
I was having my “Miracle Morning” this morning and catching up on the the news. I came this article in USA Today by Rhonda Abrams titled “8 Keys to Running a Family Business.” When I hear “family business,” I cannot help but think about multi-generational food and agriculture businesses. Here are Rhonda’s tips: Decides who does which job. Like a …