I am a patent attorney focusing on agribusiness and ag-tech clients working to protect their intellectual property, including agricultural technologies in the areas of livestock feed additives, agricultural implements, and agricultural chemicals.

Kristine serves as cochair of the AALA Distance Education Committee with private practice attorney Ryan Conklin. AALA’s Distance Education Committee plans the content and recruits nationally recognized speakers for monthly webinars.

One of the major challenges facing North Carolina farmers—and perhaps farmers across the nation—is the general public’s lack of knowledge about production agriculture. The good news is AALA has an opportunity to help educate our colleagues and prepare them to better represent farm families and agribusinesses.

My practice includes representing some of the largest agribusinesses as lead counsel addressing complex problems, including trial work. 

I have served as co-lead counsel in three of the largest biotechnology class actions in history, recovering more than $1.7 billion for class members:  In re Genetically Modified Rice Litig., MDL No. 1811 (E.D. Mo.) (securing settlements exceeding $1.1 billion); In re Imprelis Herbicide Marketing., Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litig., MDL No. 2284 (E.D. Pa.) ($550 million settlement); and In re StarLink Corn Products Liability Litig., MDL No. 1403 (N.D. Ill.) ($110 million settlement). 

I think that the challenges and opportunities in ag law are as exciting and as interesting as ever.  Agricultural law continues to be an area of law in which the practitioner can expect to encounter every type of legal issue.  The work is demanding intellectually and worthwhile socially.  For all the foreseeable years ahead, I think agricultural lawyers can expected a satisfying and rewarding career.