Agriculture

Agriculture and related Agribusiness comprise an economic engine without equal, both in its geographic scale and relative complexity. The importance of farmers and ranchers to the global community cannot be overstated. Few comprehend the collective effort required of the Ag community, or appreciate what obstacles must be overcome by farmers and ranchers alike, to move food from pasture, field and orchard to the dinner table.

Facing the Challenges of Agribusiness

Whether dealing with issues of water supply and ownership, shifting municipal, federal and state environmental demands, daunting employment and labor concerns, warehouse, supply chain and distribution issues, trade negotiations, political realignment, or emerging technologies, agribusiness faces a set of challenges wholly different from any other major industry.

Beyond the work itself, farmers and ranchers must address important questions of business and family succession, issues which, for family operations, can often be one in the same. Keeping a generations-old farm or ranch in the family and productive for years to come is often of paramount importance.

The attorneys at McCormick Barstow have for decades provided meaningful representation to farmers and ranchers alike, and the businesses that serve this industry, whether on a large or small scale. Our attorneys fully understand the enduring connections that have been built over many years within the Ag community. Both collaborative and competitive, these relationships are widespread, serve to sustain agribusiness as a whole, and are potentially important in tackling any agribusiness legal issue.

With this in mind, McCormick Barstow stands ready to advise you in every aspect of your agricultural business, and our attorneys have expertise in all areas of law at state and federal level to exhaust all options and set you up for success, including:

Succession Planning

Our attorneys can help with all aspects your succession planning, including estate planning and the administration of trusts, business structuring, and buy-sell agreements.

Litigation

Whether based in contract, land dispute, labor or employment issues, tort claims, misappropriation or other commercial litigation issues, our attorneys have significant expertise in bringing litigation matters to a favorable resolution.

View our Labor and Employment and Consulting Page

Environmental Law

Our attorneys have a wide range of experience with CEQA and NEPA issues, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), water law at the local, state and federal levels, and environmental claims and toxic torts.

Emerging Technology

Whether in the area of automation, use of drones to track crop growth or livestock, or development of new product lines, among other possible tech-related issues facing farmers and ranchers alike, our attorneys can assist in ensuring compliance with pertinent regulations and maintaining any intellectual property rights you might have.

Agribusiness Support

We have unparalleled experience in contract drafting and negotiation, both domestic and international, business formation, acquisition and governance, regulatory compliance, tax consolation, and providing assistance in all of the myriad of other areas related to running a complex agribusiness.