The 20th century witnessed a revolution in the methods utilized by agriculture and food systems through advancements like refrigeration, industrial fertilizers, advanced machinery, and mass production techniques. This century promises equally radical change—but change that expands far beyond mere methods and touches upon the very nature of what we eat and why.
Husch Blackwell’s Food Systems industry team features over 50 attorneys dedicated to understanding the profound changes in the industry and then translating that knowledge into sound, actionable legal advice. Our team covers virtually all areas of operations—from cultivation and animal production to manufacturing and retail—and brings a comprehensive perspective to bear on the specific regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters we handle.
As we tackle the multiple—and sometimes contradictory—challenges our clients face, we do so with a deep personal and professional involvement with the industry itself. Many of our attorneys grew up working on family farms; many more of us have served as key advisors to large corporations in the areas of packaged food, food manufacturing, distributors and wholesalers, seed and crop technology, and other allied fields. Our legal counsel and industry perspectives have been shaped by this composite experience and the practical knowledge we have attained over the years.
Our clients are boldly launching into novel areas of business and introducing new products that would have been hard to imagine a generation ago, all the while balancing demands for greater sustainability and environmental stewardship from consumers and investors alike. We are with them every step of the way, creating the legal and regulatory compliance framework needed to support their innovation.
Farmobile secured a complete defense victory in enterprise-threatening trade secret litigation.
Our team clarified important points of law regarding CBAs in this class action suit.
Animal Health & Production
Cannabis
CBD & Industrial Hemp
Food Safety & Regulation
Franchise & Distribution
Marijuana
On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to hold a meeting to discuss its regulatory approach to products that contain cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD).
The State of Colorado has taken a major step towards opening its marijuana industry to outside investment in what could be a transformative piece of legislation.
Distributing more than $850 billion, the 2018 Farm Bill is an enormous piece of legislation that funds programs such as crop insurance, school lunches and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Integrated into the Farm Bill is the bipartisan-supported Hemp Farming Act of 2018. Steve Levine and Ben Jones explain in this article.
Cannabis industry participants face heightened risks when purchasing and using insurance products.
While the basic principles of due diligence still apply, vetting existing marijuana and hemp businesses presents some unique variables and risks.
Steve Levine discusses the current state of cannabis law in California.
Husch Blackwell attorney Mike Annis will speak at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's Digital Animal Health Summit.
Husch Blackwell attorney Emily Lyons will speak at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's Digital Animal Health Summit.
A craft brewery’s recipe for success includes not only a lineup of great beers but also careful attention to financial and business details.
Crop insurance has been called the most important risk management tool for farmers.
What Every Generator of Organic Waste Needs to Know: "Green Attributes" Can Make Biogas Economic for You!
Join Husch Blackwell attorneys for a deeper look at the effect of the Cole Memo rescission on federal enforcement efforts, both civil and criminal, and for analysis of what factors will drive federal enforcement moving forward. This program is geared toward cannabis business owners and will provide practical compliance tips.
Women comprise 57 percent of the 2021 partnership class.
"This is just a great concept and I hope more firms embrace this sort of thing," Benefield said. "It gives me an opportunity to join a law firm as reputable and amazing as Husch Blackwell without having to pick up and move my family across the country to one of their offices."
The earlier court ruling granted summary judgment to Farmobile.
The transaction is the first to close after a change in Colorado law pursuant to House Bill 19-1090, allowing for publicly traded companies to own Colorado cannabis licenses.
Nearly 60 percent of the firm's 2020 partnership class is comprised of women.
Husch Blackwell’s Cannabis team, led by Denver-based Steve Levine, is one of the largest such practices in the United States.
The firm also received Benchmark’s “Highly Recommended” ranking in Missouri and Wisconsin and its “Recommended” ranking in Nebraska.
“Mark is a leading authority on competition and antitrust matters pertaining to agriculture,” said Steve Carman, the leader of Husch Blackwell’s Food & Agribusiness industry group.
The firm has eight "Lawyers of the Year" and 11 attorneys appearing on the list for the first time.
Based in Omaha, Hasan has played a key role in several of Husch Blackwell’s most recent litigation victories.
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Mike Annis discusses the importance of trademark protection for those in the medical marijuana industry with the St. Louis Business Journal's Greg Edwards.
Levine, head of Husch Blackwell’s cannabis practice, is recognized by Chambers USA in inaugural nationwide Cannabis Law rankings.
Steve Levine discusses the intricacies of setting up a medical marijuana business in Missouri with James Dornbrook of the Kansas City Business Journal. Lawyer: Business law in the cannabis industry is tricky
The Readers’ Choice Awards reflect a deep dive into JD Supra's reader data in 26 established categories.
Marnie Jensen succeeds Todd Richardson as managing partner of Husch Blackwell's Omaha office.
Seth Mailhot, who has over 20 years of experience with all aspects of FDA regulation, brings to Husch Blackwell a practice that is broad in scope.
Steve Levine, who has represented clients in the cannabis industry since 2010, has been named a 5280 magazine Top Lawyer in Marijuana Law for the fourth year in a row.
Missouri Lawyers Weekly has named Joe Glynias a 2019 "Influential Appellate Advocate," a recognition honoring the lawyers behind the most significant appellate decisions of the year.
Christopher Ottele discusses potential labor issues for employers as a result of Missouri voters' approval to legalize medical marijuana.
Law.com mention's Marshall Custer's interview with Slate's "Working" podcast about his six years working in cannabis law.
Meet Marshall Custer, who co-leads the cannabis law practice at Husch Blackwell (This 47:15 podcast is part of Slate's "Working" series).
Listen to the podcast.
Husch Blackwell represented Lansing Trade Group, LLC in its acquisition by The Andersons, Inc.
Husch Blackwell is recognized as a top litigation firm in the 2019 edition of Benchmark Litigation, with 28 attorneys across six offices listed.
Husch Blackwell's Steve Levine has been named a "Cannabis Law Trailblazer" for 2018 by the National Law Journal.
Missouri Lawyers Weekly has named Tanya Maerz, Christina Pyle and Michael Raupp to its 2018 Up & Coming List.
Ten Husch Blackwell attorneys have earned rankings in the IFLR 1000, a directory of leading transactional attorneys. The firm also earned rankings in three state jurisdictions.
Tanya Maerz, Christina Pyle and Michael Raupp are named 2018 Up & Coming Lawyers by Missouri Lawyers Media.
In the Court’s May ruling granting summary judgment to Farmobile, U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon dismissed all claims brought by Farmers Edge.
Law 360 highlighted Husch Blackwell as a "Legal Lion" as a result of the Eighth Circuit's dismissal of a proposed class action accusing ConAgra of not paying workers at an Arkansas facility for time they spent donning and doffing protective gear.
A Husch Blackwell appellate victory successfully ended a proposed class action that alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Arkansas Minimum Wage Act (AMWA).
Husch Blackwell’s Cannabis Law Now blog is highlighted among a number of law firm blogs devoted to cannabis law.
This Table of Experts segment features Mark Welker discussing the potential advantages of Employee Stock Ownership Plans.
Fang Shen was officially announced as incoming president at the AACCKC’s 15th annual gala, held May 10 at Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.
Steve Levine draws on his experience as a top cannabis lawyer in comments to the Kansas City Star.
With Adena Santiago’s arrival, Husch Blackwell’s Alcohol Regulatory practice gains added expertise in state and federal licensing issues.
Husch Blackwell retains long-time client by listening closely and responding with a well-considered approach.
Steve Levine comments on the evolution of San Jose’s approach to regulating cannabis.
When we were blindsided by a patent infringement lawsuit that could have put us out of business if found meritorious, we turned to our trusted legal advisors at Husch Blackwell. The team truly delivered. Their decisive action and novel approach to our situation resulted in dismissal of the lawsuit and an order from the USPTO invalidating every claim of the asserted patents.