Join us virtually for the Council’s annual legal update on Thursday, January 28, with speakers addressing implications for regulatory change under a new Administration and intellectual property issues, including the right to repair and seed protection. The legal update is sponsored by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and will feature Eric Lausten, Principal, Husch Blackwell Strategies, Curt Blades, Senior VP for Agriculture & Forestry, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and Andrea Sellers, Co-Chair – Agribusiness, Stinson. Bob Thompson, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, will serve as the webinar moderator.

Eric Lausten, Principal, Husch Blackwell Strategies, is a seasoned congressional and government affairs professional with more than twenty years of experience, including serving as a legislative director in three congressional offices, most recently as Chief of Staff to Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL). Eric will be discussing who the new Federal agriculture policy leaders are, their backgrounds and priorities, and what we might expect in 2021 and beyond. While the current Farm Bill doesn’t expire until 2023, Eric will touch on the transition’s impacts on agriculture policy, rural development and nutrition provisions. He will also discuss expected changes to trade policy and implications for the tariff wars with China; energy and biofuels; climate change and environmental programs & regulations; the transportation and shipping landscape; and tax policy.

Curt Blades, Senior Vice President Agricultural Services, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, is responsible for the strategic direction of agriculture programs and services for AEM membership, and he serves as the primary liaison with ag-specific industry organizations, customer groups and government agencies, both in North America and worldwide. Curt will give an update on Right to Repair looking ahead to 2021. As several states are considering legislation to provide access to proprietary diagnostic systems to independent repair services, AEM is working with relevant dealer groups to educate state legislators about the industry commitment to provide repair and diagnostic tools to farmers by 2021.

Andrea Sellers, Partner, Stinson, is co-chair of their agribusiness practice. Andrea’s diverse technical experience, with a focus on the chemical and bioscience spheres, allows her to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving fields of clean energy, life science and animal health. Andrea will provide an overview of the intellectual property rights that apply to agricultural seed and plant breeding. She will also discuss intellectual property aspects of agreements related to the development, use and distribution of seed.