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.
Resource CornerBy Nancy M. HandeganReal Estate Law, November 2025A quick look at some guidance the Farm Service Agency has provided, which can serve as a valuable resource in your practice.
Rural Law Practice in the NewsBy Regan McGuill Booth, Sam Ellis, & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, November 2025Learn more about recent events that may be impacting the rural practice of law, including increasing legal deserts, incentives to bring attorneys to rural practice, and community-centered legal models.
Ag Law in the NewsBy Cari Brett Rincker, Sam Ellis, & Regan McGuill BoothAgricultural Law, September 2025Updates regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, cattle and emissions regulations, USDA news, immigration, employment and labor, and antitrust that may impact your practice in the field of agricultural law.
Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements in IllinoisBy Ariana Thao & Lawrence StarkAgricultural Law, September 2025Non-compete agreements between employers and employees are enforceable in Illinois under the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (IFWA), but only under specific conditions. As of January 1, 2022, such agreements are restricted based on employee salary (minimum $75,000/year), employment conditions (e.g., not enforceable against those laid off due to COVID-19-like events unless certain payments are made), and employee categories (e.g., union members or most construction workers are excluded).
Events CornerBy Andrew G. WhiteAgricultural Law, September 2025Learn more about events hosted by the Agricultural Law Section Council!
Get Credit for Your ResearchBy Jeffrey Mollet & Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, September 2025Submit your articles to the Agricultural Law Section Newsletter for publication!
Report From the ChairBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, September 2025A note from the Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council regarding the upcoming bar year.
Resource CornerBy Nancy M. HandeganAgricultural Law, September 2025A quick look at some guidance the Farm Service Agency has provided, which can serve as a valuable resource in your practice.
Formalities for Family Farm Estate Plan – The Promissory NoteBy Alan E. StumpfAgricultural Law, April 2025This article contains checklists for practitioners to use when drafting the family loan component of an operating agreement buyout or land sale.
Rural Illinois Data Center Boom: Landowners, Are You Ready?By Ruth RobinsonAgricultural Law, April 2025Tech companies, including Meta, are pressing into unexpected parts of the country, on the hunt for huge swaths of flat land that have access to natural gas and transmission lines. Sleepy parts of Illinois, with large tracts of farmland that have nearby infrastructure to support the huge electricity demand that data centers require, are being shopped right now. The boom is on.
Legislative Analysis of S.2019/H.R. 4417: The ‘Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act’Food Law, October 2023The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act would transform the current balance of regulatory authority between the states and federal government by eliminating virtually all state and local legislative powers to impose standards or conditions on the preharveset production of agricultural products entering their own borders.
Legislative Analysis of S.2019/H.R. 4417: The ‘Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act’Animal Law, October 2023The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act would transform the current balance of regulatory authority between the states and federal government by eliminating virtually all state and local legislative powers to impose standards or conditions on the preharveset production of agricultural products entering their own borders.
Is a Tenant Farmer Really a ‘Tenant’?By Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, January 2023An analysis of an area of law once thought to be clear cut—farm tenancy.
Trespass: Understanding the Basics and Requirements for NoticeBy Garrett ThalgottAgricultural Law, January 2023Illinois adopted a law that makes it significantly easier for landowners to notify the public that entrance onto private property is forbidden. Unfortunately, there are many landowners that are still unaware of it and those that have heard of it often don’t know how to take advantage of it.
No Trust, No Authority, No Transaction? No Problem?By Jeffrey A. MolletTrusts and Estates, November 2022A look at the issues considered when an auctioneer brings a fully executed auction contract for a title commitment.
