This session goes beyond general 1031 exchange presentations and explores the more complex issues often seen in 1031 transactions specific to agribusiness including: lesser-known variations like reverse and build-to-suit exchanges and provide actionable solutions to complex 1031 exchange problems.

REGISTER HERE

Christopher (“CJ”) Frisina will walk through the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron deference, providing practical advice on approaching challenges to agency rulemakings and decisions.

REGISTER HERE

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.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

The AALA Annual Symposium provides high-quality CLE programs while serving as a forum for sharing information on and discussing laws and public policies affecting agriculture.

The Planning Committee is asked with ensuring that the program reaches these objectives.

Proposals should articulate how the presentations will deliver the high-quality education the Symposium is known for.

Regional Focus

Each year, the Symposium welcomes attendees from across the country and features special guests and speakers from the host region. For 2025, the Planning Committee particularly encourages proposals addressing these regionally significant topics:

1. Water Rights & Usage Regulations – The Southwest is highly dependent on the Colorado River and groundwater resources. Legal battles over water allocations, conservation mandates, and groundwater restrictions significantly impact agricultural supply chains.
2. Labor Laws & Immigration Policies – Agricultural operations in states like California, Arizona, and Texas rely heavily on migrant labor. Legal issues surrounding H-2A visa programs, wage disputes, and worker protections continue to shape the industry’s labor force.
3. Environmental Regulations – Stricter emissions policies, pesticide usage restrictions, and climate-related regulations (such as California’s climate laws affecting dairy and livestock methane emissions) impact production and transportation.
4. Transportation & Trade Compliance – Cross-border trade with Mexico is a key component of the supply chain, meaning legal issues related to tariffs, import/export regulations, and trucking compliance (such as California’s AB 5 law affecting independent contractors) play a major role.
5. Land Use & Zoning Laws – Expanding urban areas and regulatory changes influence where and how agricultural operations can function, including challenges related to eminent domain and farmland conservation efforts.
6. Food Safety & Traceability Requirements – FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) and state-specific traceability laws impact how producers and distributors handle food safety compliance and recall management.
7. Native American Law and Its Impact on Agriculture and Natural Resources in the Southwest – Key legal concerns such as water rights, land use regulations, tribal sovereignty, jurisdictional challenges, environmental protections, and access to federal agricultural programs.
8. Drought & Disaster Relief Legislation – Federal and state-level drought relief programs, crop insurance regulations, and disaster aid policies affect the financial stability of agricultural operations.

Other Areas of Focus

Additionally, the Planning Committee encourages proposals that cover “hot legal” issues relevant to all of our stakeholders regardless of regional specificity.  Although regional speakers, guests, and topics will be covered, the Planning Committee aims to ensure a wide variety of relevant, thoughtful topics adorn the Symposium agenda

Key Symposium Information

• Dates: November 5-7, 2025
• Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Format: In-person presentations
• Program Tracks:
  • Policy
  • Private Practice
  • Food Law
  • In-House/Corporate Counsel
• Ethics: The Symposium includes Ethics CLE sessions

Presentation Requirements and Preferences

• Duration: Concurrent sessions are 60 minutes
• CLE Qualification: Presentations and materials should be designed to qualify for CLE credit in most states
• Diversity: Submissions demonstrating diversity of thought, experience, and backgrounds will receive priority consideration, especially those featuring:
  • Presenters from multiple employers (not just one firm)
  • Multiple perspectives on the topic
  • National perspectives on the subject matter

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Planning Committee seeks to advance diversity and inclusion at the symposium and encourages proposals that include one or more presenters from under-represented or diverse backgrounds.

The Selection Process

• Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• The Planning Committee consists of over 30 AALA members, including track sub-committee leaders and the Symposium chair
• Submissions are evaluated based on how they fulfill symposium objectives and complement other program content
• The committee designs a comprehensive program that addresses the diverse needs of attendees across experience levels and geographic regions
• Approximately 15% of content slots are reserved for direct committee placement outside the RFP process
• Session slots are not available for sponsorship
• The committee reviews proposals through mid-June and plans to notify applicants by the beginning of July if their sessions have been accepted.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE

We are currently under 100 days into the Trump Administration, during which we have witnessed a rapid series of policy shifts affecting farmers and rural communities. We invite you to participate in an expert panel featuring senior leadership from the USDA (invited) and political appointees from the first Trump Administration, providing an in-depth perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture and rural America.

REGISTER HERE

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.

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.

Current employer:
Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law

Education and work experience:
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Minor in Political Science

The Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law, University Park, PA

• Juris Doctor

AALA leadership roles:
Co-chair of the newsletter committee

How did you get interested or involved in agricultural law?
Growing up, I spent a lot of my time outdoors in our garden at home or hiking in the woods. In high school and college, I worked as a camp counselor, teaching outdoor nature and wilderness survival. When I went to law school, I didn’t have a specific plan for the future, but knew I was interested in “probably something environmental.” Through a series of fortunate events, I wound up working at the Ag Law Center. Once I realized part of my job would require me to go to farms and outdoor field events, I was hooked. With agricultural law, there’s such a visible connection from our work to real-world application that makes every day interesting and keeps me inspired to do more.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing?
As a staff attorney at the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, I do research, create educational materials, and provide presentations on agricultural law. I coordinate our team of Penn State Law students and work with them to publish various projects each semester and during the summer. This semester, I’m also acting as a supervising attorney for students in our Rural Economic Development Clinic, where we address the needs of farmer clients, especially relating to agritourism. I am also the director of Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Mediation Program, through which we provide alternative dispute-resolution services to agricultural clients.

How does AALA help or benefit your profession or current role?
While the basic purpose for attending AALA might be the CLE credits, the real value for me is probably the networking and connections to other attorneys in this area of law. It’s been so helpful to learn about other support organizations and hear about other careers in agricultural law. These connections have helped me support both my law students and my clients.

What is one of your favorite AALA memories or experiences?
One of my favorite memories from AALA might be from the first symposium I attended in 2016 in Oklahoma City. I was expecting a basic conference and was blown away by the welcome I received as a new attendee. I loved seeing the camaraderie between old friends, and I really enjoyed the sessions and overall atmosphere.