It’s commonly known that everything is bigger in the Lone Star State and that statement is certainly true of the term “agriculture law”.
Agriculture law today touches on several important areas and each are regulated in different ways. We recognize that intersecting laws and rules addressing the environment, natural resources, general business principles, succession to future generations and transactions will impact outcomes.
We represent large farming and ranching operations as well as companies in the business of agriculture, serving farmers or engaged in commerce from use of the land and resources. Whether you need assistance in the business world, dealing with tax issues or representation before a court, our attorneys have experience.
Farmers & Landowners
For many of our clients, agriculture is their way of life and we take pride in representing farmers and landowners across the state of Texas.
For our clients’ personal affairs, attorneys from our trusts & estates, tax and family law practices work closely with family members and family offices to make sure their goals for their assets are met for generations to come.
When it comes to legal issues relating to the land, we have attorneys qualified to advise or handle issues related to mineral rights, eminent domain and environmental concerns.
Our attorneys have an established reputation for protecting the interests of farmers across the country by pioneering nationwide litigation involving genetically-modified crops.
One Gray Reed attorney served as a court-appointed representative of rice farmers, mills and exporters in litigation involving contamination of U.S. long grain rice supplies with genetically modified rice variety developed by an international chemical and agricultural company. He most recently served in a similar leadership role in a historic corn class action, focused on helping farmers and others hold GMO seed developers accountable for introducing unapproved genetically-modified seeds to U.S. corn supplies.
Food & Agribusiness
From farm to table, we have experience representing:
- Animal feed and ingredient suppliers
- Grain mills, elevators, processors and exporters
- Pork, beef, poultry and dairy processors, distributors and exporters
- Agriculture insurance agencies
- Farming technology companies
- Packaged food companies
- Grocery and convenience stores
- Restaurants
Our attorneys have assisted these clients with a myriad of legal issues including commercial litigation, corporate transactions, environmental law, insurance, civil litigation, government investigations and compliance, tax planning and litigation, real estate, employment law, intellectual property, and bankruptcy and corporate restructuring.
Alcohol Beverage
From vineyards and breweries to family-owned beer distribution companies and nightclubs, our attorneys have experience helping alcohol beverage clients succeed through all stages of a company’s lifecycle.
As a full-service firm, we have the resources to help guide clients through the complex, unique alcohol beverage industry as well as business issues including:
Environmental Law
With experience working with agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, our attorneys help agriculture clients navigate the complexity of federal, state and municipal permitting processes with respect to water, storm water and waste-related issues and comply with federal, state and municipal rules and regulations involving solid and hazard waste, clean air, water quality and underground storage tanks.
When disputes arise involving soil, groundwater and air contamination, our environmental litigators have experience leading clients to successful outcomes in numerous environmental investigations, enforcement actions and litigation matters before state and federal courts, government agencies and municipalities throughout Texas.
Water Rights
In just the last decade, there's been a flood of significant legal changes affecting water ownership and rights. Our lawyers have the experience and depth to counsel and develop strategies to protect groundwater rights, as well as surface water rights. We also help clients work with groundwater conservation districts.
We Feel at Home in the Agriculture Industry
As a proud Texas law firm, we know agriculture. Many of our attorneys come from farming and ranching families and have lived and worked in the same communities as our agriculture clients. We also have strong ties with regional and national industry associations such as the American Agriculture Law Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation.