Current employer:
Farmers Business Network

Education and work experience:
Bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida, an MBA and a JD from the University of Houston. Previously at Mills Shirley in Galveston, Texas, doing both transactional and litigation work.

AALA leadership roles:
Symposium planning committee

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
I grew up on a beef and poultry farm and had a menagerie of farm animals. I currently manage cattle across 200 acres in northern Florida.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
I support the input sales and marketing groups at FBN, spanning issues from regulatory, transportation, intellectual property, etc. As in-house counsel, I manage litigation, provide advice across a wide range of subjects, and review and draft a wide range of materials, whether it be marketing materials prepared for external sharing or traditional legal materials.

What are some challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law profession?
Agriculture is an ever-evolving industry, as it must be to keep up with the needs of the populace, changing weather patterns and consumer sentiment, and rising input and land costs. As lawyers, we must also keep up with the changes in the industry. With a reduction in the number of farmers and people in general who are knowledgeable about agricultural issues, this becomes even more complicated and important. We not only need to know the law, but we also need to know agriculture so we can educate those we interact with about the industry’s current state and rising issues.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
AALA is a great resource to get applicable updates on changes in ag law. It’s also the best place to connect with other ag-focused attorneys.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
The symposium always creates great memories. I come back every year with a list of new things to check into or research.