Agriculture Law

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In times marked by economic uncertainty and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, corporate and family-owned farms turn to Hodgson Russ LLP for counsel and representation on the full range of business and legal issues facing the agricultural industry.

Our attorneys understand the unique challenges farms encounter today and have experience with the industries, municipalities, and government agencies farm owners deal with on a daily basis. We provide cost-effective, practical advice so our clients can focus on what matters most — producing quality output and expanding their business.

And at Hodgson Russ, legal acumen and client service go hand in hand. That means our clients receive top-notch legal services driven by our core values, rooted in the nearly 200-year history of our firm, which place superior client service as a top priority.

The Business of Farming

History has shown that tough economic times are often toughest on the agricultural community. Our goal is to help farms establish and maintain successful operations and chart a path for long-term success.

We assist farms and families in a number of areas, including:

• Family and corporate business structuring, including succession planning and estates and trusts issues, to help protect farm assets now and in the future
• Real property services, including wind power leases, purchase and sale of land or facilities, and financing issues
• Opportunities presented by federal and state renewable energy credits and other incentives
• Tax matters, including federal, state, and local taxation; real property taxation; and proactive tax planning
• Labor and employment issues, including compliance with state and federal laws such as the Federal Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act

Agricultural Advocacy

Whether defending our clients’ legal rights in a dispute or advocating for their business interests in permitting or contract negotiations, our attorneys bring the depth and breadth of our firm’s litigation experience to provide clients with a competitive edge.

We represent clients in matters relating to:

• Issues with business relationships, including antitrust matters, fraudulent practices, contract review and litigation, and price manipulation
• Bankruptcy and insolvency issues, both outside the context of pending bankruptcy proceedings and before the U.S. bankruptcy courts
• Clean Water Act and Navigation Law matters, including permits, litigation defense, and wetlands issues
• Right to Farm Law issues, including nuisance defense and zoning advocacy