President-Elect

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet is a Professor & Extension Specialist in Agricultural Law with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.  Tiffany’s work focuses on legal issues impacting Texas landowners and agricultural producers.  She authors the award-winning Texas Agriculture Law Blog and hosts the Ag Law in the Field Podcast.

In 2019, Tiffany was awarded the Excellence in Agricultural Law – Academia award from the American Agricultural Law Association.  In 2016, she was named the Specialist of the Year by the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association.  In 2022, she was awarded the Distinguished Extension Program award from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. She is a former board member of the American Agricultural Law Association.

Tiffany grew up on a family farm and ranch in Eastern New Mexico, received her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness (Farm and Ranch Management) summa cum laude at Oklahoma State University, and her law degree summa cum laude at the University of New Mexico.  She is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and Texas. She lives in the Texas Panhandle where she and her family raise sheep and cattle and travel the country to compete in livestock shows.

Director Election 1

Julia Schatz

Julia Schatz is a lawyer, farm owner, and committed advocate for agribusiness and food clients. Julia is a partner in the litigation and regulatory groups in the Canadian national law firm of Bennett Jones LLP. She has a robust regulatory practice in which she advises on a broad range of product regulation matters, including in the agribusiness and food industries. Her advice covers issues relating to the registration, recall, licencing and compliance requirements in the federal Safe Food for Canadians Act, the Pest Control Products Act, the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act and the regulations under each. In addition, she provides product regulatory and due diligence support to her corporate colleagues on commercial transactions, including in the food, agribusiness and pet food spheres.

Julia has specific expertise in pesticide registration and regulation, including in respect of compliance matters, licensing, reporting and permit obligations and data compensation issues.

Julia has been a member of AALA for many years and has appreciated the opportunity to share cross-border perspectives with others working in the ag-space. She has participated in several different AALA committees and served on the AALA Board for a one-year term, filling the vacancy left by another board member. She would love the chance to serve a full term on the Board and share her unique perspectives with the Board and membership.

Julia grew up in a small town about an hour west of Toronto, Canada. After graduating high school, she moved to Montreal, Quebec to complete a Bachelor of Science in Neuropsychology at McGill University and obtained her LLB from the University of Toronto.

When not in the office, Julia is a member of Echo, a women’s choir committed to bringing the joy of music to the community. She enjoys spending time at her farm with her husband, John, and their three sons.

John Dillard

John Dillard is a food and agriculture regulatory attorney with a deep commitment to furthering the understanding of the broad subject of agricultural law. Since 2012, John has practiced with OFW Law in Washington, DC, a food, agriculture, and trade boutique in Washington, DC.

John presently leads OFW Law’s USDA Regulatory Practice and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. John advises and represents meat and poultry manufacturers, feed mills, farmers, and ranchers on food safety and labeling, the Packers and Stockyards Act, the National Organic Program, and APHIS matters. John also serves as a consultant with farm-to-table ranch operations.

John serves as outside general counsel to several food and agriculture trade associations. In this role, he provides counsel on antitrust compliance and corporate governance. In observing 100+ hours of board meetings per year, John has identified qualities that make an effective board member, which he applies to leadership positions. John also serves on the Executive Committee of the Friends of the National Arboretum.

John has attended every AALA symposium since 2012. He has served as co-chair of the Awards Committee since 2021. He also currently serves on the symposium planning committee and previously served on the distance learning committee. John is a frequent speaker in AALA programs.

John is a graduate of the University of Richmond, Purdue University, and Virginia Tech. He lives in Ashland, Virginia with his wife, Laura, and three children. Outside of work, John enjoys outdoor activities and ferrying kids to sporting activities.

Director Election 2

Jim Bradbury

Jim’s practice over three decades has provided him with a rich experience of working with talented lawyers in large firms, corporate executives as well as individual clients with a single problem. He loves practicing law and enjoys solving complicated problems for good people. His practice has included many areas but has focused on business as well as land, environmental, water, energy, and regulatory matters. His firm has offices in Fort Worth, Austin, and Bozeman. Jim enjoys following the legal and policy issues facing landowners, working with statewide associations and policy organizations on legislative and regulatory matters. He has served as outside General Counsel to various privately held corporations, including a large accounting and financial services firm. Jim is an adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, teaching Ag Law, and Natural Resources and Eminent Domain Policy. He is a recognized authority in agricultural law, property rights, conservation and water policy and regularly speaks these issues. Jim has been substantially involved in land conservation efforts in Texas representing individual landowners and land trusts. He serves on the Board of the Texas Land Trust Council and the Devil’s River Conservancy working to conserve some of the last, best places in Texas.

Angie Krieger

Angie Krieger is General Counsel for the National Pork Board (NPB), where she leads legal strategy, compliance, and intellectual property oversight. Her responsibilities include leading all contracting processes and negotiations, advising senior leadership and serving as the primary liaison to USDA/AMS regarding checkoff compliance and approvals. Angie has served a combined seven years at NPB and has been engaged in Checkoff-funded initiatives across the pork supply chain—from packers and processors to consumer-facing programs.

In Fall 2022, Angie stepped away from NPB to serve as Vice President of Operations at Sustainable Environmental Consultants. There, she led client-facing teams and served as the functional liaison for human resources, finance, and marketing and communications. During this time, she also supported NPB as an independent consultant, filling a leadership gap in operations before returning full-time in November 2023.

Angie has spent most of her career in the pork industry, holding diverse roles with a broad impact. Prior to her time at NPB, she served as Director of Animal Welfare at JBS Live Pork. Earlier in her career, she worked as in-house counsel for Cargill Meat Solutions, later transitioning to leadership roles in hog procurement and supply chain management. Her work has spanned the entire pork value chain, from farm to fork.

A strong advocate for women in the meat industry, Angie is a founding board member and current Past Chair of the Women’s Meat Industry Network (WMIN), a national organization supporting professional growth and leadership for women in the sector.

She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska and a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University.

Angie resides in Grimes, Iowa with her partner and is the proud mom of four daughters. She is a youth softball coach, co-owner of two pizza franchises, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

A link to the ballot can be found here. Members will need their login credentials to vote.

If you need to reset your username and/or password, please click on this link prior to voting. For any other questions, please contact the AALA office by filling out this form.

This webinar explores the complex legal and interpersonal challenges involved in heirs’ property cases, with a focus on quiet title actions. Attendees will gain insight into navigating the tangled webs of ownership, family dynamics, and genealogy. The session will also offer practical strategies for managing client expectations, improving communication with multiple heirs, and addressing the emotional and logistical hurdles that often arise in these sensitive cases. Ideal for attorneys, legal aid professionals, and advocates working in property and estate law.

Video replay of this webinar is available to members in the Webinar Archives of the Resources section of the AALA website.

Click HERE for access.

Volunteer Interest Form

Click Here to View the Agenda

Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 3 CLE credits on Wednesday and 13 CLE credits Thursday – Friday.*

2025 AALA Annual Educational Symposium

Dates: Thursday & Friday, November 5–7, 2025 (Pre-conference Wednesday, November 5)
Location: Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.

Key Updates:

• Symposium registration is sold out. Pre-conference Wednesday registrations are still available.

• Waitlist: A limited number of full symposium spots may open. Complete this form to be accommodated as space allows. Questions? Contact Christin Monts at  christin@aglaw-assn.org

• Confirmed speakers and sponsors will still receive their registrations. Links remain open for Wednesday CLE, sponsors, and speakers.

Hotel Update:

• Our Westin Kierland Resort block is fully booked. The group rate was $342/night + 12.57% tax.

• Waitlist is available for rooms that may open. For nearby hotel options or to join the waitlist, contact  info@aglaw-assn.org. or call the resort at 480-624-1000.

Additional Information:

• View the [Symposium Agenda]

• Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 3 CLE credits on Wednesday and 13 CLE credits Thursday – Friday.*

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you next week!

Click Here to View the Agenda

Click Here to Register for the Symposium

Registration Details

Note: Members must be logged into the Member Site to order Member-priced tickets.

The 2025 symposium cancellation policy is available here.

* AALA will submit sessions deemed eligible for continuing legal education (CLE) credits to symposium registrants’ states. CLE credits are granted based on individual attendance records and state CLE rules. Note that approvals will vary because each state has different CLE requirements and rules. For example, not every state calculates CLE credits based on the clock hour. Not every state will grant CLE credits for each session submitted by AALA. In all events, AALA is committed to providing top-quality, relevant CLE that will be approved for most states.

Please note: AALA may reduce the symposium registration fees for a limited number of its members who require financial assistance. To request a reduced registration fee, AALA members who hold a current, paid membership must contact the symposium planning chair at info@aglaw-assn.org by August 8 and provide a brief statement and relevant information to support their request. Requests for reduced registration fees will be considered on a case-by-case basis by a group of planning committee members. All information submitted as part of a reduced registration fee request will be held in strict confidence. Members who are approved to receive a reduced registration fee will be contacted by August 22. Nonmembers are ineligible to request reduced registration fees.

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.

Current employer:
National Pork Board

Education and work experience:
I am a University of Nebraska College of Law grad – class of 2000! I spent a year in private practice in Wichita, Kansas, then joined the law department at Excel Corporation (now Cargill Meat), working with the pork business and many other functions. I have not left the pork industry since but did leave the “practice” of law for many years with roles in hog procurement for Cargill then JBS. I also spent some time as the director of animal welfare for JBS Live Pork. I started with the NPB in the summer of 2017 as a director of packer relations and eventually led domestic marketing before moving “home” to operations, leading both legal and compliance. After a brief sabbatical as the VP of ops at a company that performed on-farm data collection and quantification and provided consulting services for environmental, social, and governance reporting, I came back to NPB, where I now, once again, lead legal and compliance as the director of operations.

AALA leadership roles:
I have enjoyed helping to develop and moderate a few sessions at the symposium and serving this year on the sponsorship committee. I look forward to working on the membership—marketing and symposium planning committees in 2025.

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
I grew up in a farm family in north central Iowa. Both of my grandfathers and my dad were row crop farmers. We also had a few show cattle, and I participated in 4-H and FFA. I originally planned to be a veterinarian, but after much contemplation and an ag law class in my senior year at Oklahoma State University, I decided to apply to law school and never looked back. And while I left the actual practice of law for many years, I was never too far away, as I worked on large procurement contracts and navigated very complex regulatory requirements in the pork industry – both packing and live production.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
As director of operations at NPB, I manage all legal and compliance matters. This includes everything from drafting and negotiating more than 100 contracts a year to managing our portfolio of trademarks and other intellectual property to answer all the random questions that seem to arise on a daily basis. I am also responsible for our relationship with the USDA, which is an important function in a federally administered checkoff program. The USDA/AMS specialist assigned to us must ensure that we are investing the dollars we receive from producer assessments in accordance with the Pork Act, the Pork Order, and the AMS Guidelines for Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion Programs. This means that nearly every contract and PO that we enter into and every piece of communication that we publish is reviewed, first by me then by our AMS specialist, who must provide approval.

What are some challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law profession?
The pork industry has had a very tough few years of financials, and that has put a lot of strain on our farmers. We are working diligently to try to help grow domestic and international demand for our products with the younger generations. We face headwinds of special interest groups who would like for consumers to stop eating meat, an increasingly complex array of state regulations on production, and trade barriers that aren’t always based on science. While this sounds like a lot of negative, it is not – it creates the opportunity to work in a fast-paced global industry and work toward solutions, which I absolutely love. And that is my sales pitch for students who are at all interested in the law – there is no other industry that is as important to the world as agriculture. We need smart, thoughtful, well-rounded lawyers to help us navigate a myriad of difficult decisions every day.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
I love the network I have formed as a member of AALA. There is nothing like being around passionate people who are working on the same issues as you – even if they are coming from a different viewpoint. Also, because I don’t work in a law firm, I am not surrounded by lawyers every day, so it is really fun to get to talk shop and swap stories at the symposium each year.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
I brought my daughter, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Iowa, to the 2024 symposium with me. She walked away with a newfound love for ag law and several new contacts who have offered to help her maneuver through an upcoming transfer to Oklahoma State. I cannot think of any other professional conference I could have taken her to where she would be embraced and included as “one of the family” with such ease. My love for this organization and the symposium grew exponentially as a result, and it is all about the people involved.

The 46th annual symposium will be Wednesday, November 5, through Friday, November 7.

To be included in the printed Symposium book and event signage, please submit your sponsorship by October 20, 2025.

Current 2025 Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities and benefits are a great way to support AALA and create awareness for your organization. Meals, breaks, and receptions at the symposium can be co-sponsored by two or more parties.

Sponsorship levels are available now, offering a range of benefits to match your goals and budget.

Please contact President-Elect Ashley Ellixson or Executive Director Liz Icenogle to discuss sponsorship opportunities for the AALA 2025 educational symposium, or use the Donate button.

Note: AALA focuses on educating ag law and policy professionals and giving them opportunities to network. The association does not engage in lobbying for public policies, and no sponsorship dollars are used for influencing government.

We thank you for your interest in, and support of, AALA.

Attendees had the opportunity to receive up to 3 CLE credits on Wednesday and 13 CLE credits Thursday – Friday.*

Thank you to the 2025 Sponsors, who continue to provide invaluable support to AALA.

* AALA will submit sessions deemed eligible for continuing legal education (CLE) credits to symposium registrants’ states. CLE credits are granted based on individual attendance records and state CLE rules. Note that approvals will vary because each state has different CLE requirements and rules. For example, not every state calculates CLE credits based on the clock hour. Not every state will grant CLE credits for each session submitted by AALA. In all events, AALA is committed to providing top-quality, relevant CLE that will be approved for most states.

Current employer:
Goosmann Law Firm

Education and work experience:
University of Minnesota, MBA, Carlson School of Management Executive Program
University of Iowa, J.D., International Law Program, Arachon, France
University of Iowa, B.B.A. Economics and Finance

• Buena Vista University Professor in Business, Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Financial Accounting, and Cost Accounting courses.
• Owner/Partner, Sackett Law Firm, P.C
• Assistant Attorney, Clay County Iowa
• CFO, Arbor Snowboards, Inc.
• In-House Counsel, TheBrain Technologies
• CFO / In-House Counsel, California Waste Services
• In-House Counsel, F.W. Carson Companies
• In-House Counsel, ATI Title Company
• Legal Consultant, Global Climate Coalition

AALA leadership roles:
2024 symposium planning committee

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
My interest in agricultural law developed through years of experience working with agricultural clients and supporting rural community growth. My legal practice spans various areas, including business transitions, tax, and real estate, giving me firsthand insight into the unique challenges facing the agricultural sector. I’ve had the opportunity to serve as lead counsel on impactful cases, such as negotiating with the USDA for compensation related to avian influenza and helping to create insurance products for affected flocks. These experiences deepened my commitment to supporting agricultural businesses and navigating the complex regulatory and financial issues they encounter.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
Managing partner, Business Practice Area group leader

What are some challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law profession?
The field of agricultural law is at an exciting juncture, filled with both unique opportunities and complex challenges. With emerging technologies like blockchain transforming practices, one of the key challenges we face is navigating regulatory compliance. Blockchain’s potential to improve transparency and traceability in agriculture also raises questions about data ownership, privacy, and energy consumption. As agricultural supply chains increasingly span international borders, lawyers must address cross-jurisdictional issues, especially concerning sustainability and conservation. Additionally, establishing trust around data sharing among farmers and stakeholders is crucial. Privacy concerns and a general unease around digital systems mean that robust legal frameworks and assurances are needed to protect stakeholders’ rights while promoting transparency.

At the same time, these challenges open new doors for agricultural law professionals to make a significant impact. By helping clients implement blockchain solutions for provenance and transparency, we can support compliance efforts and add market value to agricultural products. There is growing consumer demand for verified sustainable practices, presenting a valuable opportunity for legal experts to certify and market these credentials, gaining clients a competitive edge. Ag lawyers also play a critical role in structuring conservation agreements and guiding clients through climate-smart agriculture initiatives. From enabling partnerships across tech and agriculture to shaping policy and advocating for sustainable innovation, ag law professionals have the chance to lead the industry toward a future that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
The AALA provides invaluable support to the legal profession by offering a network for attorneys who face the unique challenges and opportunities within agricultural law. As ag lawyers, we navigate complex regulatory landscapes around emerging technologies like blockchain, as well as sustainability mandates that affect everything from land use to cross-border compliance. Through the AALA, we gain access to resources, continuing education, and collaborative opportunities that keep us informed on evolving issues like data privacy, conservation, and climate-smart agriculture. This organization also fosters partnerships and policy advocacy, enabling us to lead in shaping sustainable agricultural practices while protecting the rights and interests of all stakeholders in the supply chain. The AALA is essential in ensuring that agricultural lawyers can effectively serve their clients and drive innovation in the industry.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
I attended my first AALA educational symposium in 2022, and I’ll never forget the feeling of walking into a room full of like-minded legal professionals. I was able to have engaging discussions and make meaningful connections with fellow attorneys and mentors who share a commitment to advancing sustainable practices in agriculture and having conversations with the strongest minds in agricultural law and agricultural policy.

Current employer:
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

Education and work experience:
Prior to joining the team at FFVA, I practiced in the offices of general counsel for a few regulatory agencies, including the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. I received by my J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law and my bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida.

AALA leadership roles:
I serve on AALA’s symposium planning committee.

Industry awards:
I was recently named to the Fruit & Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
I grew up on a ranch in southwestern Florida, where my family raised cattle and horses, so I’ve always been involved with the industry. I eventually decided to go to law school and knew that my practice would be tied to agriculture. There are so many regulations and government programs for farmers and ranchers to navigate, and my practice has allowed me to work in and with government on growers’ behalf.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
I am the director of labor relations at FFVA. Our members are fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop growers who rely on large seasonal workforces for production and harvest. I work to educate and support our members’ compliance with labor and employment laws and advocate on their behalf for sound ag labor policy. My team and I also file H-2A applications and visa petitions for members and lead the annual Florida Agricultural Labor Relations Forum.

What are some challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law profession?
Given the sheer number of issues that face the ag industry, I think there will always be a need for good ag lawyers and for mentors for young lawyers to develop into good ag lawyers.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
The symposium and other education opportunities are invaluable, and I’m grateful to be in association with and learn from the best ag lawyers in the country. The breadth of issues presented at the symposium equips me to be a better lawyer and to better serve our members at FFVA.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
I enjoy getting to see friends and colleagues at the symposium each year. I’ve only been active in AALA for a few years, but I’ve known some members for several years, even since high school.

Current employer:
Syngenta

Education and work experience:
Previously worked at USDA, Monsanto and Bayer. Mercer University for J.D. and Georgetown University Law Center for LL.M.

AALA leadership roles:
Member of the symposium planning committee

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
My first job out of law school was with the USDA’s Office of General Counsel.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
Currently assistant general counsel at Syngenta, focused on regulatory issues.

What are some challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law profession?
Public misunderstandings about the safety of modern agricultural production methods.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
Opportunities to learn from and interact with colleagues from various parts of the agricultural law community.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
Attending AALA annual educational symposia.