LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 22, 2020. Buchalter is pleased to announce the formation of a new industry group exclusively focused on the exponentially-growing and ever-evolving agribusiness industry.  Over the past several decades, Buchalter’s agribusiness practice has expanded to the representation of some of the largest and most innovative players in the industry, now utilizing thirty lawyers across multiple practice groups.

The attorneys in the Agribusiness Industry Law Group have substantial experience representing every aspect of the industry, including agricultural lenders and investors, food growers, food processors, packers, marketers, and distributors, to wineries and cannabis and hemp producers, many of which operate on a global scale.

Clients are regularly advised in connection with:

    • Secured Lending and Recovery Rights
    • Agrifinance
    • Marketing and Distribution Agreements
    • Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Vertical Integration
    • International Transactions and Protections
    • Licensing Agreements and Intellectual Property
    • Transportation
    • Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA), and state agricultural liens
    • Regulatory
    • Labor and Employment Issues
    • Estate Planning
    • Water Rights and Land Use

Joseph Welch, Shareholder in the Orange County and Seattle offices, will Co-Chair the group along with Los Angeles Shareholder, Ariel Berrios.  “With Buchalter representing numerous clients in this rapidly-expanding industry, the formation of the Agribusiness Industry Law Group was a natural outcome as we continue to see significant increased demand from our clients for these services,” said Welch.  “As Chair of the Agribusiness Committee for the state-wide California Lawyers Association, I’ve noticed tremendous need in this space with very few large firms committed to providing the comprehensive and multifaceted solutions that clients need.  The timing for Buchalter couldn’t be better,” Welch continued.

Attorneys in the agribusiness practice are often called upon to serve as outside general counsel to some of the largest marketers, distributors, and producers of fruits and vegetables sold in the nation’s largest food retailers, such as Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Loblaws, and Albertsons.  Attorneys are also widely respected by clients, peers and market observers, and are recipients of multiple awards and honors for their practices, including from Chambers and Partners.  Many have presented at industry related conferences, and authored numerous client alerts.

“We anticipate significant growth of this industry over the next decade,” added Berrios. “Our considerable industry expertise means Buchalter is uniquely positioned to meet the challenges of this rapidly changing industry as we continue to offer clients unparalleled expertise in banking and finance, insolvency, and corporate law related matters.”

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