I interviewed Beth Rumley from The National Agriculture Law Center in this week’s Ag Law Today podcast. You can listen to the recording on YouTube here or on iTunes. A lot of agriculture producers and lawyers forget that this fantastic resource is available to them. I am obsessed with their online Reading Rooms and have been known to nerd out …
Episode 4 of Ag Law Today: Last Will and Testaments
Hear me discuss all things Last Will and Testaments on this week’s Ag Law Today along with Deborah Kaminetzky, who has been a mentor of mine since the infancy of my law practice (you have her to thank for my matrimonial part of my law practice). Listen as Deborah bestows her wisdom to us.
Episode #3 of Ag Law Today: Agriculture Mediation Programs
Episode #3 of Ag Law today is now live! I’m talking all things agriculture mediation with Missy Greathouse of the Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program. You can listen to the podcast here. I’m a member of agriculture mediation roster for New York, New Jersey and Illinois. I’m a big believer in mediation (in general) as a dispute resolution mechanism. If you …
Ask Cari: I Have a Problem with Employees Missing Shifts. Should I address this in my Employment Handbook?
I always tell my business clients that having an employee handbook is imperative. It is, essentially, the laws of the employment relationship. It can be as detailed as the employer would like and can cover anything that might arise affecting the employer/employee relationship. While many state and federal laws govern certain aspects of the employer/employee relationship, a lot is left …
Illinois Property Law: A Word on Partition Proceedings
In a partition lawsuit, all of the parties who have an interest must be sued. See 735 ILCS 5/17-103. The suit must be filed in the county where the property is located. See 735 ILCS 5/17-101. When jurisdiction over everyone is established, the judge appoints a commissioner to investigate the property. See 735 ILCS 5/17-106. For things like farm land, …
Illinois Agriculture Law: Farm Estate and Succession Planning
This presentation will be given to the Illinois Beef Association this Thursday in Galina, Illinois, at its annual meeting. It discusses the differences between estate planning, succession planning and business planning. Then it delves into the Who, What, When, Where, How and How Much. It too discusses how to have those difficult conversations and using mediation in this process. [slideshare …
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 …