Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM) is a California law firm that provides a full range of legal services tailored to meet the special needs of the agriculture industry in California. Our clients include lenders, growers, packers, distributors, wineries and wine growers, brokers, auctioneers, investors and others involved in agriculture. Our services include the following:
Banking and FinanceJMBM's banking and commercial finance expertise includes the representation of lenders and vendors in agribusiness loan and credit transactions, both secured and unsecured, assets-based lending, accounts receivable financing, revolving lines of credit, inventory financing, factoring, term loan lending, letters of credit (standby and direct pay), restructures, workouts and corporate reorganizations. Our lawyers lecture regularly for lending organizations and bar associations in this area and have substantial and nationally recognized UCC experience. We have expertise in PACA, the Packers and Stockyards Act and California Producers' Lien law.
See our Banking and Financial Services' Legal Services for Agribusiness Lenders.
Insolvency and WorkoutsJMBM has significant expertise in working out troubled agriculture loans. We have deep experience with respect to pre-bankruptcy workouts, receiverships, collection of defaulted loans, complex bankruptcy liquidations and reorganizations within the agribusiness context. We are experienced with PACA, PSA and producers lien law issues.
CorporateWe are experienced with corporate law, the securities, tax and corporate aspects of operations, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, mergers and acquisitions and private equity, as well as with addressing corporate operating issues arising from day-to-day operations. We are familiar with operational issues, including strategic alliances, supplier and distributor relationships, contracts with vendors and suppliers, licensing, merchandising, and trade issues, as well as with business issues such as corporate governance including board and shareholder meetings, and state and federal securities law compliance. We are experienced in the acquisitions and divestitures of products, divisions and businesses.
Trademark and Intellectual PropertyWe represent clients with respect to their trademarks, copyrights, advertising, patents, trade dress, licensing and trade secrets. We not only provide application, registration, documentation and other transactional assistance, but we also prosecute and defend lawsuits involving copyright, trademark, unfair competition and patent law.
Labor and EmploymentJMBM counsels clients with respect to human resources, including wage and hour laws, union relations, wrongful termination, employment discrimination and other issues. Our focus is on developing proactive compliance and dispute resolution strategies. We work with clients to help them avoid workplace problems. But where controversy is unavoidable, we are formidable advocates and have handled literally hundreds of jury trials, administrative trials and appeals before courts and administrative agencies nationwide.
Land UseJMBM's particular strength in Land Use is handling all permitting and compliance issues for clients seeking to locate and develop new sites, relocate or expand operations. JMBM’s land use and zoning lawyers are knowledgeable, skilled negotiators who can produce results when dealing with local governments, including boards of supervisors, city councils, zoning boards and planning and redevelopment agencies, as well as state and federal agencies that oversee environmental and land use issues.
EnvironmentalA host of environmental laws impact the agriculture industry and JMBM's environmental lawyers are skilled and knowledgeable in the full range of environmental issues including water, air, solid and hazardous waste, pesticides, wildlife protection laws and other federal and state laws that affect the industry.
Litigation ServicesWe have litigated cases involving corporate and partnership issues, contracts, insurance matters, securities, class action lawsuits, real estate and construction matters, environmental issues, trade regulation, unfair competition, trademark infringement and other issues concerning the agricultural industry.
TaxationOur representation includes federal, state and local tax planning, maximization of applicable tax credits, development and implementation of executive compensation and stock option plans, representation in federal and state tax controversies, and other matters.
Real EstateThe firm's clients range from land owners and developers to lessors and lessees and we deal in all aspects of real estate issues, including purchase and sale, finance and construction. Our lawyers anticipate and resolve due diligence issues, environmental liability, title, deed and other problems during negotiation and also work tirelessly to maximize tax advantages in entity and project structuring.
Representative Transactions and MattersWe also serve as general counsel to agricultural corporations. For example, for a large family-owned agricultural corporation we have handled its corporate dissolution, dealt effectively with a minority shareholder, arranged financing and provided succession planning to ensure the business is passed along to the family members who wish to operate it.
Please Contact UsOur team takes a deep personal interest in your business. Although your agricultural business will share legal matters in common with others in the industry, we recognize that each client has unique issues and specific objectives. We would be pleased to discuss how we can help, and invite you to contact us.