Ag Law in the NewsBy Sam Ellis & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, April 2026Earlier this year, the Trump Administration accelerated efforts to reshape federal pesticide regulation and liability standards; the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue to attempt to define "waters of the United States"; Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture hosted the annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day last month; and more!
Ag Law Section Council Member Profile: Kyle M. TompkinsAgricultural Law, April 2026Learn more about Kyle M. Tompkins, a practicing attorney with over 12 years of experience, a member of the Agricultural Law Section Council for over five years, and a central Illinois native who understands agriculture law's importance to everyday life.
Custom ChatGPTs: Navigating Legal and Ethical Compliance for Public-Facing AI ToolsBy Carolyn ElefantAgricultural Law, April 2026Custom versions of ChatGPT for public use can raise legal and ethical considerations, including applications of these tools, ethical AI disclosure, attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, the unauthorized practice of law, and attorney supervision. While it is necessary to consider these factors, there are practical solutions you can implement to ensure compliance and protect both users and legal practitioners.
FSA Information CornerBy Nancy Metzker-HandeganAgricultural Law, April 2026Limited liability companies can be utilized as an estate tool to reduce estate tax, centralize management of farmland, and prevent partitions; however, changes under the OBBBA could limit payments due to each member of the limited liability company or shareholder of a corporation. These changes may impact payments due and owing after October 1, 2026.
What Is the Remote Practice of Law?By Stephen B. CohenAgricultural Law, April 2026In this article, the author emphasizes and describes how a major event affecting all aspects of society has changed many traditional aspects of the practice of law.
Acquiring Battery and Energy Lease Expertise for Leasing and Real Estate Sales AgreementsBy Alan E. StumpfAgricultural Law, March 2026Energy storage contract offers related to real estate are becoming more common, whether in the contexts of wind energy leases, solar energy leases or specific negotiations to lease or purchase real estate for battery storage. We need to be thinking about contract responsibilities and technology related to energy storage on real estate.
CLE Chair ReportBy Andrew G. WhiteAgricultural Law, March 2026A recap of the 32nd Annual Ag Law Seminar, held on February 6, 2026, in Bloomington, Illinois.
Key Issues for Attorneys Reviewing Solar Leases in IllinoisBy Ean R. AlbersAgricultural Law, March 2026Rural practitioners, agricultural attorneys, and those practicing real estate law should be familiar with solar leases as part of sustained development advancements across Illinois. These leases can bind property for 30-50 years (or more), and be subject to various legal and economic considerations.
Report From the ChairBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, March 2026A note from the Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council.
Unique Statutory Liens in Agriculture for Uncertain TimesBy Kyle TompkinsAgricultural Law, March 2026In Illinois, the law provides for several unique protections for agricultural stakeholders during difficult times through agricultural liens, including Landlord Lien, Agister's Lien, Thresherman's Lien, and Warehouseman's Lien.
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Agrivoltaics ObservationsBy Alan E. StumpfEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026Esoteric subjects for most Illinois attorneys were presented in Carbondale, Illinois at the Simmons School of Law on September 19, 2025. However, after listening to the presentations (available online through ISBA) the information presented gives us a legal and policy background helpful to know when counselling our clients’ legal matters that relate to agricultural production.
My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep ResearchBy Carolyn ElefantRural Practice, February 2026As artificial intelligence develops, classic legal tools, like Westlaw and Lexis, may become less useful. In comparison to Lexis, ChatGPT Deep Research has valuable tools that could improve efficiency in your legal practice.
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanAgricultural Law, February 2026Historically, an owner of real estate, in fee simple absolute, was thought to own a pie shaped cubit, extending from the center of the Earth, all the way up to the heavens. This traditional rule of ownership is a gross over simplification which, as we shall see, does not truly apply in the case of oil and gas.
Profile of Ag Law Section Council Member: Cari RinckerBy Sara Peska & Ean R. AlbersAgricultural Law, February 2026Get to know Cari Rincker, Agricultural Law Section Council Member and Editor of the Section Newsletter.
Advance Your Practice at the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law SeminarBy Ted M. NiemannAgricultural Law, January 2026Illinois State Bar Association members are invited to attend the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law Seminar—a premier continuing legal education event designed for attorneys practicing in or interested in the dynamic field of agricultural law. This year’s seminar takes place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, IL, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Multi-Factor Authentication Is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergAgricultural Law, January 2026This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonAgricultural Law, January 2026This article higlights some of the key sections of the Receivership Act that a real estate practitioner or mechanics lien claimant should consider, including purpose, scope, notice, status of receiver as lien creditor, sale of real estate, contracts, injunctions, claims bar date, and discharge of the receiver.
Profile of Ag Law Section Council Member: Garrett ThalgottBy Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, January 2026This month's Agricultural Law Section Council highlight features Garrett Thalgott, an attorney with the Illinois Farm Bureau.
Ag Law in the NewsBy Sam Ellis, Regan McGuill Booth, & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, December 2025A summary of recent updates that impact the practice of agriculture law, including a resolution that reopened the federal government and extended the 2018 Farm Bill, launch of Screwworm.gov, an executive order eliminating tarrifs on certain imported agricultural products, and more!
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Agrivoltaics ObservationsBy Alan E. StumpfAgricultural Law, December 2025Esoteric subjects for most Illinois attorneys were presented in Carbondale, Illinois at the Simmons School of Law on September 19, 2025. However, after listening to the presentations (available online through ISBA) the information presented gives us a legal and policy background helpful to know when counselling our clients’ legal matters that relate to agricultural production.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, December 2025An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
Ag Law in the NewsBy Sam Ellis, Regan McGuill Booth, & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, November 2025A compilation of developments that may impact the practice of agricultural law, including USDA legal battles, land use, agroterrorism, antitrust, and more!
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Cell-Based Meat ObservationsBy Alan E. StumpfAgricultural Law, November 2025While not directly related to agricultural law, the detailed presentation of the industrial and legal view of the cell-based meat industry presented at the Bock Food Law & Policy Conference mirrors the issues of federalism seen today in the egg production and pork industries.
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s AheadBy Ted M. NiemannAgricultural Law, November 2025The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today!
My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep ResearchBy Carolyn ElefantAgricultural Law, November 2025As artificial intelligence develops, classic legal tools, like Westlaw and Lexis, may become less useful. In comparison to Lexis, ChatGPT Deep Research has valuable tools that could improve efficiency in your legal practice.
Report From the ChairBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, November 2025A note from the Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council, including a save the date for the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law Conference.
