Video replays of the webinars are available to members in the Webinar Archives of the Resources section of the AALA website. Click “Member Login” in the upper right corner and login as a member to access this content. These webinars are organized by AALA’s distance education committee, which includes members of the AALA. The technology platform is sponsored by the Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation at Iowa State University.

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Thursday, March 19, 2026, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (MST)

USDA Updates to the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) is evaluating updates to its reporting framework under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (“AFIDA”), as part of a broader trend of increased federal scrutiny of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural and forest lands. This webinar will look at the potential changes and the interaction with other regulatory regimes.

Justin Huff is a Partner in Dorsey & Whitney’s Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City offices. Prior to entering private practice, Justin served as a Deputy Director in the United States Department of the Treasury office responsible for chairing CFIUS. Justin led the review of hundreds of CFIUS filings and conducted in-depth national security analyses on transactions across a wide range of industries, including biotech, agriculture, technology, telecommunication, real estate, and energy. Prior to his Treasury role, Justin held senior positions with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM (CST)

Burnout in the Legal Profession: Recognition, Response & Recovery

Burnout has reached critical levels in the legal profession—nearly 80% of legal professionals report experiencing burnout, and 40% have considered leaving the profession entirely due to stress. This presentation examines the occupational phenomenon of burnout, distinguishing it from everyday stress. Attendees will learn to recognize burnout warning signs in themselves and colleagues, understand the key differences between stress and burnout, and discover practical strategies for response and recovery.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM (CST)

Reviewing New OBBBA Tax Provisions Impacting Agricultural Producers

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted significant tax provisions that impact farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners. In this one-hour webinar, agricultural tax expert Kristine Tidgren, Director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, will break down the key tax changes introduced by the OBBBA legislation, explaining how these provisions may affect your operation as you close out 2025 and prepare for the 2026 tax year. With practical examples and actionable planning tips, Kristine will help producers understand the implications of the new rules and how to make informed decisions that support long-term financial stability.

Kristine Tidgren is an adjunct associate professor in the Agricultural Education & Studies Department and the director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Kristine’s work focuses on studying and interpreting laws impacting the agricultural industry. In particular, she focuses on agricultural taxation.

Since joining CALT in 2013, Kristine has written hundreds of articles and blogposts to keep tax professionals, practicing attorneys, producers, and agribusiness professionals informed about legal developments impacting their business. She also writes technical chapters for the National Income Tax Workbook and regular articles for farm publications. In addition to her writing, Kristine speaks to many professionals and producers each year regarding tax and agricultural law topics. She also plans and provides instruction for CALT-hosted seminars, including the annual federal income tax schools.

Kristine teaches AgEds 451, a four-credit agricultural law class to upper-level undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She also regularly collaborates with other agricultural law and tax professionals throughout the country, including those from the Rural Tax Education Committee, the American Agricultural Law Association, and the Land Grant University Tax Education Foundation. Kristine is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Missouri and is a member of the Iowa Bar Association.

Before coming to ISU, Kristine worked for a legal publishing company and as a practicing attorney. She received her J.D., Order of the Coif, from the University of Texas at Austin and her B.A. in journalism from Iowa State. She grew up on a farm in west central Iowa.

Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM (ET)

Trump v. CASA: Redefining the Outer Limits of Federal Equitable Power

In this webinar, legal experts unpack the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Trump v. CASA, which limited the authority of federal courts to issue universal injunctions. The panel will explore the ruling’s implications for judicial power and future of legal challenges to statutes, regulations, and other unlawful actions.

Michael Kimberly is a nationally recognized appellate lawyer. He has argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and delivered more than 40 appellate arguments in courts across the country, including every general federal court of appeals and numerous state courts. With a remarkable success rate, Michael has won two of every three cases he has argued.

In addition to his appellate practice, Michael regularly challenges federal agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act and contests state laws and regulations on preemption and constitutional grounds. Across both trial and appellate courts, Michael has briefed and argued over 200 cases, with deep experience in areas such as tax law, environmental regulation, the Commerce Clause, federal preemption, Medicare, ERISA, the First Amendment, copyright, and bankruptcy. Michael also collaborates closely with trial teams to craft effective litigation strategies and develop persuasive dispositive motions.

Walt Green focuses his practice on cybersecurity, white collar criminal defense and governmental investigations, and litigation. Walt served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana and the Executive Director for the National Center for Disaster Fraud from 2013-2017. He retired from the United States Department of Justice with over 20 years of federal experience. Walt also served in the United States Marine Corps for over 30 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

Walt also advises domestic companies on compliance with U.S. data privacy laws, including the California Privacy Rights Act and other states’ data regulations. He helps multinational companies stay on top of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and China’s Personal Information Protection Law.

Travis Cushman is the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation & Public Policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In that role, Travis manages AFBF’s nationwide litigation on all issues facing agriculture, including international trade, property rights, access to public lands and crop protection products, and the regulatory regimes of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Travis also advises AFBF’s public policy staff in the analysis of legislation and regulations, development of recommendations and strategies, drafting rulemaking comments and other policy advocacy communications, and compliance with the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act and other political and lobbying law requirements. Prior to joining AFBF in 2018, Travis spent 10 years in private law practice.

Thursday, July 17, 2025, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM (ET)

Heirs’ Property Law Update

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. It 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.

Brianna Jackson, Director of Legal Services, Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation is a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English with an interdisciplinary certificate in Disability Studies from The University of Georgia in 2014 and her Juris Doctorate from Charleston School of Law in 2017.

Brianna, a member of the South Carolina Bar and the Charleston County Bar Association, was admitted to practice law in 2018.

Brianna joined the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (CHPP) as a staff attorney in May 2019. CHPP’s direct impact on the community but also its involvement in heirs’ property legislation reform attracted her to the organization. In March 2022, Brianna accepted the position of Director of Legal Services managing CHPP’s Charleston, Columbia, Orangeburg, and Florence offices. Brianna embraces her leadership role at CHPP as it allows her to foster growth, inspire innovation, and positively impact communities within CHPP’s service areas and replication models.

Looking ahead, Brianna is focused on expanding CHPP’s footprint beyond the Lowcountry and cultivating a new generation of advocates dedicated to preserving family legacies through the evolving practice of heirs’ property law.

Brianna often reflects on the following quote by Jim Rohn, “All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” Partner, co-chairs Covington’s market-leading global Food, Drug, and Device Practice Group. Drawing from nearly twenty years of experience working at FDA and in private practice, Jessica provides strategic advice to a broad range of companies and trade associations in navigating regulatory frameworks and engaging with food and drug regulatory bodies and Congress. She works closely with clients to develop product strategies that are low risk from both a regulatory and litigation perspective while also meeting marketing goals and objectives. She also regularly counsels clients regarding potential crises, such as recalls, regulator investigations, and other unanticipated regulatory attention.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM (ET)

Making America Healthy Again: How is the MAHA agenda impacting the food industry?

Food industry policy and legal experts provide insights into the Making America Healthy Again agenda, including an update on the MAHA Commission, reforms to the GRAS regulations, banning of food dyes, and more. Our speakers come with a wealth of policy and legal experience, representing some of the most major food manufacturing brands in the country.

Jessica O’Connell, Partner, co-chairs Covington’s market-leading global Food, Drug, and Device Practice Group. Drawing from nearly twenty years of experience working at FDA and in private practice, Jessica provides strategic advice to a broad range of companies and trade associations in navigating regulatory frameworks and engaging with food and drug regulatory bodies and Congress. She works closely with clients to develop product strategies that are low-risk from both a regulatory and litigation perspective while also meeting marketing goals and objectives. She also regularly counsels clients regarding potential crises, such as recalls, regulator investigations, and other unanticipated regulatory attention.

Jessica’s practice focuses on food and beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and OTC drugs. She has engaged with Congress and state legislators on cosmetic and drug legislative efforts and alternative protein and other food labeling requirements and has represented clients in both FDA and FTC investigations, including negotiating consent decrees and responding to civil investigative demands, and actively practices before the NAD. Jessica has specific expertise regarding the regulatory framework for new and emerging food technologies, including alternative protein ingredients and products and specialized nutrition products such as infant formula and medical foods, the marketing of cosmetics and OTC drugs, including sunscreens, Proposition 65, organic labeling, the federal and state legal landscapes surrounding the development and marketing of products containing CBD, and claim substantiation requirements, as well as manufacturing and supply chain requirements under FSMA and FDA’s implementation of MoCRA.

Mary Dee Beal, Principal, joined Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid in 2022, bringing more than a decade of federal policy experience, including senior roles in the Executive Branch and the Congress. She provides a deep understanding of complex policy and congressional processes to the health care and energy practices at the firm.

Most recently, Mary Dee served on the Senate Republican Policy Committee for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), where she provided analysis and education on issues related to tax, budget, appropriations, and small business. She worked closely with staff across the Senate Republican Conference, as well as Republican leadership and key Senate committees to advance Republican priorities.

Prior to her service in the U.S. Senate, Mary Dee served as Senior Advisor to Secretary Sonny Perdue and Acting Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky at the United States Department of Agriculture. During her time at USDA, she served as the principal advisor to the Secretary on climate, innovation, ag tech, and agriculture research priorities. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the Department’s crisis management strategy to preserve the national food supply chain and worked closely with officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Transportation, and the National Economic Council as the interagency policy lead for the federal food supply chain response.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM (CT)

Navigating Complexities of Agribusiness 1031 Exchanges

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.

Max Hansen, Managing Director of Accruit, utilizes his extensive knowledge of IRC Section 1031 and 40+ years of experience in the real estate and 1031 industry to help taxpayers defer capital gains, depreciation recapture, and net investment income tax through 1031 real property exchanges. An active member of the Idaho, Montana, and Utah bars and many other professional organizations, Max regularly conducts seminars and advises clients nationally on Section 1031 exchanges.

Max has written and spoken extensively on all aspects of 1031 exchange transactions, large and small, spanning the vast array of real property interests and transactions which qualify for tax deferral. The endless possibilities range from agricultural land, large commercial assets, residential rental properties, oil and gas rights, easements, long-term leasehold interests, timber rights, paleontological and archaeological rights, and fractional ownership interests such as Delaware Statutory Trust and Tenancy in Common property interests.

Max received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Carroll College in Helena, Montana and his Law Degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law. He was admitted to the Montana Bar in 1976 and other bar associations thereafter.  He is admitted to practice before Federal Courts including the U. S. Supreme Court.   Max earned his Certified Exchange Specialist® accreditation through the Federation of Exchange Accommodators in 2002 and was awarded the FEA President’s Award in 2016 and 2022.

When not working in the 1031 exchange industry, Max enjoys time with his wife and family in Northern Utah and Southwestern Montana.  After family his next loves are horses, dogs, camping, fishing and the wide-open spaces.

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Thursday, April 24, 2025, 1:00 PM–2:00 PM (ET)

Life After Chevron Deference: A Practical Guide to Challenging Agency Actions After the Loper Bright and Relentless Cases

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.

Christopher (“CJ”) Frisina is Counsel at Alston & Bird, LLP and advises clients on challenging agency rulemakings, enforcement actions, and administrative decisions under the Administrative Procedure Act.

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Thursday, March 27, 2025, 11:00 AM–Noon (CT)

What Can Agriculture Expect (And is Already Seeing) From the Trump Administration?

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.

Rebeckah Freeman Adcock is Vice President of U.S. Government Relations for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). She manages a team of policy professionals representing the fresh produce industry focused on U.S. matters. Rebeckah has nearly 30 years of experience leading agriculture, environment, infrastructure, homeland security, and economic policy. She has extensive regulatory, legislative, business, and strategic communications expertise in private, non-profit, and government sectors. Rebeckah is a recognized leader in the food and agriculture sector. She is an appointed Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee member on trade matters to the Secretary of Agriculture and U.S.  Trade Representative (USTR). She also serves on the board of directors for the farmer-owned cooperative Southern States and Agriculture Future of America, the premier leadership program for young adults in food and farming. Rebeckah has also held federal appointments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Policy Dialogue Committee (PPDC), USDA’s IR-4 Advisory Committee, and the Kentucky NRCS State Technical Committee.

Joby Young became the Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau in July 2022. He leads the AFBF staff, managing across all departments to achieve the goals of the President and Board of Directors and fulfill AFBF’s mission.

Joby has more than a decade of experience in food and agriculture policy, from the halls of Congress to the Executive Branch. He served as Chief of Staff to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue after serving in that same role for the Deputy Secretary and several USDA offices. He also previously served as Chief of Staff in the House of Representatives and as a consultant in the private sector. Joby is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with degrees in History and Communications, and he holds a law degree from the UGA School of Law.

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Thursday, February 27, 11:00 AM–Noon (CT)

Paying for Long-Term Care Without Selling the Farm

Join Adam Dees, a practicing Kansas Elder Law attorney and a partner of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, P.A. for a discussion on:

• How to pay for long-term care WITHOUT selling the family farm or going broke!
• How to protect your spouse and family
• Health information and how to choose decision makers

Adam Dees is a practicing Kansas Elder Law attorney and a partner of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, P.A. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and a Kansas Rising Superstar Lawyer for 2023 and 2024.

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Adam dedicates his practice to estate planning, long-term planning, special and supplemental needs planning, and helping seniors find, get, and pay for good care. Adam authored a booklet, “The Consumer’s Guide to Supplemental Needs Planning” focused on helping people with families who have special needs plan for their care and also educates people through seminars like “Estate Planning Secrets,” “Don’t Lose the Farm: How to pay for Long-Term care without going broke,” and “Doing Dementia Differently.”

Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11:00 AM–Noon (CT)

Election Impact on Agriculture

The 2024 election results are in, but what do they mean for agriculture? In this webinar, our bipartisan panel of agricultural policy experts will discuss the results of November 5, 2024, and provide insights into President-Elect Trump’s administration and what we can expect to be priorities in the 119th Congress with Republicans at the helm.

With more than two decades of food, agriculture, and trade policy experience across Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the private sector, Ken Barbic has carved out a leadership role in Republican politics. In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed him as the assistant secretary for congressional relations at the USDA. In this Senate-confirmed role, he provided political and strategic guidance to the secretary and senior leadership about engaging in Congress. Before joining Invariant, he was the head of policy and government relations at Farmer’s Business Network, where he positioned the company as a thought leader on top issues shaping the industry. Previously, he worked for the Western Growers Association, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.

Jessica Schulken moved to Washington from Kentucky in 1999 and began her career as a Presidential Management intern at the National Institutes of Health. In 2001, she joined the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee as a professional staff member on the Agriculture Subcommittee, where she focused on funding the research, conservation, food safety, and domestic nutrition accounts at USDA, as well as FDA. She was promoted to staff director of the subcommittee in 2012 and, in that role, was responsible for managing the policy and funding priorities for the entire bill, working with all Senate offices on their appropriations priorities for USDA and FDA, as well as negotiating with the House of Representatives during annual conference negotiations. During her tenure on Capitol Hill, she worked for Sens. Kohl, Pryor, Merkley, Byrd, Inouye, Mikulski, and Leahy. Along with routine appropriations bills, she also drafted and negotiated numerous supplemental funding bills. She joined The Russell Group in 2018, providing government relations and advocacy services for food- and agriculture-related clients. She lives with her husband, Chad, and their children in Falls Church, Virginia.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Noon–1:00 PM (CT)

Issues Confronting Approved Insurance Providers and the Legal Impacts

Kimberley Arrigo worked in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from September 1991 through December 2018. She served as counsel to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and Risk Management Agency (collectively “RMA”) from March 1993 through December 2018. From January 2019 to present, she has worked as a consultant for Arrigo Risk Consulting PLLC on a variety of crop insurance issues with clients ranging from agents, approved insurance providers, private developers of crop insurance policies, and producers. She has provided expert testimony in a variety of crop insurance disputes, representing agents, producers, and approved insurance providers.

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Thursday, August 29, 2024, 11:00 AM–Noon (CT)

What’s New with Genetically Engineered Microbes for Use in Agriculture: A Regulatory Update

The 2022 Executive Order on the Bioeconomy has spurred action from U.S. regulatory agencies to clarify their jurisdictions for genetically engineered microbes, including those intended for use in agriculture. We’ll provide an update on those regulatory efforts, the kinds of products at issue, and implications for agriculture.

Karen Carr counsels, advocates, and litigates on behalf of food and agriculture companies and industry groups, with a focus on agricultural technology, food, biotechnology, pesticides, and other chemical substances and environmental law. She co-leads ArentFox Schiff’s AgTech industry group. She has experience in litigation and regulatory counseling, strategy, and advocacy, with a primary focus on products regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Karen advises on pathways to commercialization for new products and technologies, advertising and labeling, testing and reporting, data use and compensation disputes, and litigation relating to product approvals. She has specific expertise with the Plant Protection Act, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, the National Organic Program, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Rebecca Foreman focuses on regulatory compliance and complex litigation matters, primarily in the biotechnology and agricultural technology space. She has specific expertise in regulatory counseling and litigation on matters arising under the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Plant Protection Act (PPA), and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). She also has litigation experience in a wide range of subjects, including defamation, health care reimbursement, and government investigations under the False Claims Act.

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Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 12:00–1:00 PM (CT)

Bankruptcy Update: Brushing up on Chapter 12 and the Code

This presentation will talk about the latest surges in bankruptcy, important case law and Code updates, and where Chapter 12 is being filed and how it is being used. It will also discuss whether there is a stigma around Chapter 12 cases and how the new laws pertaining to small-business bankruptcies can and should change the landscape for Chapter 12.

Scott Brown has been practicing law for nearly 24 years. He does all things agriculture in the four states in which he is licensed – Arizona, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico.

Please note:

1. This CLE webinar is offered to current, dues-paid AALA members only as a membership benefit.
2. This program is being offered for CLE credit in each attendee’s jurisdiction.
3. The CLE reporting will not occur until after the program.
4. Pre-registration and active participation during the webinar are required to receive CLE credit.
5. AALA will do its best to secure CLE credit for all members who attend, but it is possible that some states may not approve the webinar.
6. CLE credit will not be offered to those who only watch the recorded version provided afterward on the AALA Member Site.

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Thursday, June 20, 2024, 12:00–1:00 PM (CT)

Negotiating and Securing Carbon Credits on Farmland

This presentation will discuss different types of carbon products that may be available and how they are intended to be used. The presentation also will discuss how these types of products can be used for inventory accounting and key contractual issues.

Zev Simpser has a broad-ranging energy and carbon practice. In his energy practice, Zev counsels utilities and other participants in the electric and gas industries on numerous regulatory matters and key regulated transactions. In his carbon practice, Zev focuses on purchasing and sourcing for Scope 2 compliance initiatives, as well as Scope 3 and Scope 1 product development and marketing within the agriculture industry, focusing on dairy.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (CT)

The Thorny Rose: Federal H-2A Program Compliance & Policy Implications

The federal H-2A program permits agricultural employers who cannot fill critical seasonal labor positions with U.S. workers to hire foreign workers to temporarily perform agricultural work. But participation in the program requires a commitment to compliance as there is likely no employment relationship more heavily regulated than that between an employer and an H-2A worker. As a result of this heavy regulation, employers often seek congressional intervention to streamline the bureaucracy and make the program more affordable. This program will highlight many of the compliance obligations, including best practices for avoiding costly violations, and whether there is any hope for reform.

Joshua Viau counsels and defends many agricultural employers in connection with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), the H-2A temporary foreign agricultural worker program, and other federal and state employment and discrimination laws. His work for employer clients includes defending claims and advising employers on day to day issues arising under state and federal statutes such as Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Josh works with a variety of national and local clients including employers in agriculture. Josh graduated from the Emory University School of Law and he is the former Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Georgia State Bar. Josh has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America since 2015 and was recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer since 2015 and as a Georgia Super Lawyer – Rising Star from 2006 through 2014.

Kristi Boswell focuses her regulatory and policy practice on advising farm and food clients on issues that impact food production, manufacturing, and retail sale. This includes compliance with organic standards, workforce needs, immigration, farm safety net programs, risk management, conservation, rural development, and food and nutrition programs. Whether advising farmers, trade associations, cooperatives, food processors or grocers, Kristi’s enterprise-wide USDA experience gives her the unique ability to effectively provide regulatory compliance counsel and identify opportunities to actively engage policy makers for regulatory or legislative improvements with an eye for agency process. Before joining Alston & Bird, Kristi served as a senior advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she implemented the secretary’s priorities and advised the secretary on decision-making. She was active in implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill and pandemic response using Commodity Credit Corporation authority. Kristi also held a policy role at the White House, where she served as the agricultural voice in drafting H-2A regulatory reforms and immigration legislation. Before her time in government, she served as the director of congressional relations at an agricultural trade association, where she advocated Congress for legislative change for farm members.

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Thursday, April 25, 2024, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (CT)

Chevron Deference on the Chopping Block: Pragmatic Pointers About How the Supreme Court May Curtail Overreach by Federal Regulatory Agencies

Administrative law experts will bring lofty subjects down to earth in a practical discussion of how regulated industries may be affected by two decisions. On January 17, 2024, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless Inc. v. Department of Commerce – cases that will determine the extent to which courts may curtail overreach by federal regulatory agencies. The cases ask the Court to overrule or narrow Chevron deference, thereby limiting how courts defer to a federal agency’s implementation of the statutes that it administers in regulating private industry. The Loper Bright and Relentless cases are likely to have major implications for any business regulated by a federal agency. The Supreme Court delved deeply into the balance of power among the three branches of government, causing a historic shift in administrative law.

Dan Jarcho represents clients in federal trial court and appellate litigation involving federal regulatory issues. Dan has litigated numerous Administrative Procedure Act challenges to federal agency actions, including cases involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Defense, Treasury, and Interior, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has defended clients in a wide variety of investigations and enforcement actions initiated by federal agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in FDA Law and as a leading practitioner for life sciences in Who’s Who Legal. Dan worked as a trial attorney in the DOJ Civil Division’s Office of Consumer Litigation, representing the FDA in federal civil and criminal litigation. He also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The Legal Aid Society of D.C. honored him with the 2022 Servant of Justice Award for his dedication and achievement in ensuring equal access to justice.

Christopher J. (“CJ”) Frisina is a senior associate in the Health Care Group at Alston & Bird and focuses his practice on health care fraud, waste, and abuse as well as compliance matters, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, Civil Monetary Penalties, and the False Claims Act. CJ has advised a variety of health care providers and suppliers, including hospital systems, retail and specialty pharmacies, long-term care and senior living facilities, and clinical laboratories. He has represented his clients in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and routinely assists clients in responding to government inquiries, including from the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the HHS Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Personnel Management. Before joining Alston & Bird, CJ practiced at a boutique Washington, D.C. law firm focused on federal grant funding. This experience has allowed CJ to assist health care providers and suppliers with their receipt, use, and reporting of assistance received from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. CJ also served as a procurement analyst for the HHS Office of Recipient Integrity, focusing solely on suspension and debarment matters. Super Lawyers named CJ to its Rising Stars list for health care law for 2021-2023. He is certified in health care compliance (CHC) by the Health Care Compliance Association.

Please note:

1. This CLE webinar is offered to current, dues-paid AALA members only as a membership benefit.
2. This program is being offered for CLE credit in each attendee’s jurisdiction.
3. The CLE reporting will not occur until after the program.
4. Pre-registration and active participation during the webinar are required to receive CLE credit.
5. AALA will do its best to secure CLE credit for all members who attend, but it is possible that some states may not approve the webinar.
6. CLE credit will not be offered to those who only watch the recorded version provided afterward on the AALA Member Site.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 12:00–1:00 PM (CT)

Water’s Uncertain Future

An overview of the current water challenges facing agriculture, with emphasis on depleting aquifers (for example, Ogallala) and drought-stricken rivers (for example, Colorado River). Time will be spent discussing policy changes and potential legal solutions, along with a primer on water law generally.

Gage Zobell helps clients acquire, develop, and operate their agricultural, natural resource, and renewable energy projects. He focuses primarily on natural resource, agricultural, and renewable energy development. He regularly assists oil and gas, mining, renewable energy, and agricultural clients with acquisition and divestiture, project development, permitting, and operating their projects. Gage enjoys partnering with his clients from the onset of pre-project planning and design, through community outreach and land-use planning, to project development and permitting, and into end-of-life planning and divestiture. He regularly reviews project development plans, surveys, and title insurance commitments, and assists with local land-use planning and title review, due diligence, and curative. He assists in project development by helping clients navigate, among other issues, NHPA Section 106 consultations, BLM and USFS land access and approvals, and coordinating land use permitting with state and local agencies. In addition, Gage maintains an active water law practice throughout the Intermountain West. He assists oil & gas, mining, agricultural, and renewable energy companies in due diligence, acquiring, permitting, and defending water assets. His varied water law practice includes permitting saltwater disposal wells, defending water rights through basin adjudications, and representing clients before state agencies in change of use applications. He also regularly assists clients in acquiring and divesting of water assets through negotiating and drafting water supply agreements, municipal water contracts, water leases, options, and purchase and sale agreements.
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Thursday, February 29, 2024, 12:00–1:00 PM (CT)

How California’s Sweeping New Climate and Carbon Disclosure Law May Impact Your Business

California recently enacted three sweeping and unprecedented laws that require potentially in-depth disclosures related to greenhouse emissions, climate, carbon neutrality, and carbon offsets. Two of the new laws require large companies in virtually any industry doing business in California to make annual disclosures about their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (S.B. 253) and the financial risks they face as a result of climate change (S.B. 261). The third new law involves more disclosure obligations on companies that either sell carbon offsets in California or make claims about achieving “net zero emissions” or carbon neutrality (A.B. 1305). Join us for a discussion of the “who, what, and when” of these new laws, including who will be directly and indirectly impacted and how – and steps you can take to prepare for compliance.

• • Megan Houdeshel, Regulatory Affairs Practice Group Leader, Dorsey
  • Kayla Race, Associate, Regulatory Affairs Group, Dorsey

Megan Houdeshel is the Practice Group Leader for Dorsey’s Regulatory Affairs Practice Group where she is located in the Salt Lake City Office. She has a breadth of experience assisting clients through complex environmental permitting matters under the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and community right to know laws. This experience allows her to guide clients through project development beginning with lands or mineral rights acquisition to full operation and continued compliance. Megan actively represents mining, petroleum, chemical, energy, real estate development, and public utility interests throughout the western United States and Canada. As part of her regulatory compliance practice, Megan also assists clients with environmental aspects of real property and mining transactions including brownfields redevelopment and public lands leasing transactions.

Kayla Race is an associate in Dorsey’s Regulatory Affairs Group located in Salt Lake City. She assists clients in a variety of industries with environmental, energy, natural resources, land use, and sustainability matters. Kayla’s career as an attorney is aided by her experience shaping municipal and state climate, energy, and environmental justice policy in her work prior to law for community-based environmental non-profits in southern California and for the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.