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Capabilities / Food Systems

Food Systems

Clients rely on Husch Blackwell for legal and business insight while facing unprecedented challenges and operational disruptions.

The 20th century witnessed a revolution in the methods utilized by agriculture and food systems through advancements like refrigeration, industrial fertilizers, advanced machinery, and mass production techniques. This century promises equally radical change—but change that expands far beyond mere methods and touches upon the very nature of what we eat and why.

Husch Blackwell’s Food Systems industry team features over 50 attorneys dedicated to understanding the profound changes in the industry and then translating that knowledge into sound, actionable legal advice. Our team covers virtually all areas of operations—from cultivation and animal production to manufacturing and retail—and brings a comprehensive perspective to bear on the specific regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters we handle.

As we tackle the multiple—and sometimes contradictory—challenges our clients face, we do so with a deep personal and professional involvement with the industry itself. Many of our attorneys grew up working on family farms; many more of us have served as key advisors to large corporations in the areas of packaged food, food manufacturing, distributors and wholesalers, seed and crop technology, and other allied fields. Our legal counsel and industry perspectives have been shaped by this composite experience and the practical knowledge we have attained over the years.

Our clients are boldly launching into novel areas of business and introducing new products that would have been hard to imagine a generation ago, all the while balancing demands for greater sustainability and environmental stewardship from consumers and investors alike. We are with them every step of the way, creating the legal and regulatory compliance framework needed to support their innovation.

Case Study
Farmobile LLC

Farmobile secured a complete defense victory in enterprise-threatening trade secret litigation.

Case Study
Conagra Brands

Our team clarified important points of law regarding CBAs in this class action suit. 

Blog | October 16, 2024
Intoxicating Hemp in Wisconsin
Blog | July 24, 2024
BOLO: Cannabis PPP Loan Audits
White Papers | May 16, 2024
State-By-State Guide to Ag-Gag Legislation
Blog | April 29, 2024
BOLO: Cannabis Qui Tam Actions
White Papers | December 01, 2023
The Future of Functional Foods

Following the social isolation and public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans reevaluated their health and wellness priorities, creating new opportunities for food systems companies to connect with changing consumer tastes and preferences.

Blog | November 09, 2023
Ohio Marijuana Legalization Hits Home
Blog | November 06, 2023
Cannabis Drinks Hit Total Wine
Blog | September 03, 2021
Kansas Ag-Gag Law Update - September 2021
Blog | August 11, 2021
Anatomy of a Beer Label: Part III
Blog | August 11, 2021
Arkansas Ag Gag Update
Blog | August 09, 2021
Update on Cattle Checkoff
Blog | August 04, 2021
Anatomy of a Beer Label: Part II
Blog | July 28, 2021
Anatomy of a Beer Label: Part I
Blog | June 29, 2021
Update on Union Access to Property
Blog | April 08, 2021
Kansas Ag-Gag Update
Blog | December 09, 2020
Meatless Meat Update XII
Blog | November 11, 2020
Meatless Meat Update XI
Articles | October 26, 2020
Marijuana Venture: Innovation on the Rise
Blog | October 21, 2020
Meatless Meat Regulatory Update
Blog | October 08, 2020
Update on Meatless Meat
Blog | October 08, 2020
Update on Minnesota Farm Winery
Blog | June 19, 2020
North Carolina Ag-Gag Law Update
Blog | June 12, 2020
Ag-Gag Law Update (June 2020)
Blog | June 04, 2020
Meatless Meat Update X
Blog | April 20, 2020
Update on Checkoff Dues
Blog | April 14, 2020
Meatless Meat Update IX
Blog | February 27, 2020
Meatless Meat Update VIII
Blog | February 05, 2020
Ag-Gag Law Update VIII
Blog | February 04, 2020
Meatless Meat Update VII
Blog | January 03, 2020
Latest Iowa "Ag Gag" Law Update
Seminars | November 21, 2024
Exclusive Cannabis Law Meet-Up
Speaking Engagements | October 11, 2024
Speaker, "Cannabis Properties," National Business Institute
Webinar | November 29, 2023
The Future of Food Safety
Webinar | March 16, 2023
Competition Policy Under the Microscope
Webinar | December 8, 2022
BioBreak on the Plaza
Speaking Engagements | August 24 - 26, 2021
Speaker, From "Cruelty-Free" to "Sustainable"; What Does it Mean and How Do You Capture Public Sentiment Without Exposing Your Company?, Digital Animal Health Summit

Husch Blackwell attorney Mike Annis will speak at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's Digital Animal Health Summit.

Speaking Engagements | August 24 - 26, 2021
Speaker, "Regulatory Update: Cell-Based Meats + OTC Animal Products + CBD + Feed Additives," Digital Animal Health Summit

Husch Blackwell attorney Emily Lyons will speak at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's Digital Animal Health Summit.

Webinar | December 2020
Minimizing Agricultural Loan Distress
News Releases | November 07, 2022
Husch Blackwell Elects 29 to 2023 New Partner Class
News Releases | December 06, 2021
Husch Blackwell Elects 36 to 2022 Partnership Class
Media Mentions | February 16, 2021
NACS News: Cannabis Industry Grows on Capitol Hill
News Releases | February 08, 2021
Husch Blackwell Ramps Up Washington, DC, Growth Plans
News Releases | December 18, 2020
Husch Blackwell Elects 23 to 2021 Partnership Class

Women comprise 57 percent of the 2021 partnership class.

Media Mentions | August 24, 2020
Kansas City Business Journal: Virtual Husch Blackwell office attracts first attorney outside firm's footprint

"This is just a great concept and I hope more firms embrace this sort of thing," Benefield said. "It gives me an opportunity to join a law firm as reputable and amazing as Husch Blackwell without having to pick up and move my family across the country to one of their offices."

News Releases | August 19, 2020
Husch Blackwell Scores Eighth Circuit Win for Farmobile in Trade Secret Dispute

The earlier court ruling granted summary judgment to Farmobile.

News Releases | May 19, 2020
Husch Blackwell Represents Schwazze in Landmark Cannabis Transaction

The transaction is the first to close after a change in Colorado law pursuant to House Bill 19-1090, allowing for publicly traded companies to own Colorado cannabis licenses.

Media Mentions | January 17, 2020
5280 Magazine: Denver's Top Lawyers 2020
Media Mentions | January 17, 2020
Ag Professional: Is Hemp the New Soybean?
News Releases | December 19, 2019
Husch Blackwell Welcomes 22 New Partners

Nearly 60 percent of the firm's 2020 partnership class is comprised of women.

News Releases | December 03, 2019
Husch Blackwell's Cannabis Law Team Recognized with 2019 Top Legal Innovation Award

Husch Blackwell’s Cannabis team, led by Denver-based Steve Levine, is one of the largest such practices in the United States.

The HB team is extremely skilled in our specific industry and our specific business. We are unique, and the HB team has the unique skills to handle our needs.

Chief legal officer and general counsel, food wholesaler