News

McAfee & Taft, the state’s largest law firm, has announced its support for the founding of the University of Oklahoma College of Law’s newest student organization, the OU Agricultural Law Association.

“Our firm recognizes the value of this new organization, and we are excited to lend our financial and organizational support to the OU Agriculture Law Association,” said Jeff Todd, co-chair of the firm’s Agriculture and Equine Group and one of the nation’s leading agricultural law attorneys.  “Oklahoma’s economy is based on oil and gas and agriculture, and the state needs more lawyers who are versed in legal matters impacting the agriculture industry.”

Joining McAfee & Taft as founding co-sponsors of the OU Agriculture Law Association are Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.

OU Law has more than 30 student-led organizations that provide students with exposure to specialized areas of the law through regularly hosted meetings and networking events with industry professionals.

Recently, though, a group of law students noticed that one area was not represented: agriculture. After recognizing this void, students began working in early 2019 to lay the foundation to create a new group focused on understanding the specialized needs and interests of the agriculture industry. Students wanted a group that would concentrate on educating others about the importance of the industry, while also providing networking opportunities within the field.

The OU Agricultural Law Association held its first meeting in August of this year, and Jeff Todd served as the keynote speaker for its September meeting. Programming for the organization involves monthly meetings, networking events, and social events. The group plans to host practitioners from different facets of the industry to discuss opportunities for interested students.

“The Agricultural Law Association is ecstatic about the opportunity to advocate for the agriculture industry and provide networking opportunities for interested students,” said Allison Christian, ALA president. “There are many students from diverse backgrounds who wish to work in this industry in some facet after law school. ALA is optimistic about the level of student interest at OU Law and is excited about the future of agricultural law in this state.”