Professional Staff
Harrison M. Pittman, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
Research Assistant Professor of Law, Center Director
(479) 575-7640
hmpittm@uark.edu
Harrison M. Pittman has an extensive background in agricultural law and has served in multiple capacities at the Center since 2001. He received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, after attending Mississippi State University and graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He earned an LL.M. in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law's Graduate Program in Agricultural Law. Harrison has authored articles on numerous subjects, including the National Organic Program, the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the constitutionality of corporate farming laws, pesticide regulation and litigation, agritourism, states' recreational use statutes, legal issues associated with the structure of the livestock industry, agricultural bankruptcy issues, environmental regulation of agriculture such as the application of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to agriculture, and the Packers and Stockyards Act. He has authored annotations for American Law Reports, including Validity, Construction, and Application of State Constitutional and Statutory Provisions Regarding Corporate Farming and Validity, Construction, and Application of Right-to-Farm Acts. Harrison is an active member of the American Agricultural Law Association, has contributed to the Association's monthly newsletter, The AgLaw Update, and serves on the Association's membership committee. He is a frequent presenter on various agricultural law and policy topics, including environmental law, the impact of globalization and the World Trade Organization on U.S. agriculture, conservation programs, legal liability issues in agritourism operations and other landowner liability issues, agricultural liens, the future of farm commodity programs, and the interrelationship between local food systems and public health issues. He is an active member of the Arkansas Bar Association, where he founded the Agricultural Law Section and later served as interim chair and chair. Harrison has taught at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law as part of the Ben J. Altheimer Distinguished Professorship for Agricultural Law and served as a Visiting Professor for the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the American Bar Association's Section on Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice. Among other activities with the Agriculture Committee, Harrison moderated A Conversation With Marc L. Kesselman, USDA General Counsel: The Administration's 2007 Farm Bill Proposals that was held at the Venable LLP in Washington, D.C. Harrison also serves as faculty advisor for students involved with the Journal of Food Law & Policy.
Shannon Mirus, B.S.A., J.D., LL.M.
Staff Attorney
(479) 575-2364
smirus@uark.edu
Shannon Mirus grew up in northeast Arkansas among fields of rice and soybeans. She has focused her studies in agriculture and law with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas, as well as a Master of Laws in agricultural law. As a Staff Attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center, Shannon coordinates legal education outreach efforts through the Cooperative Extension Service, including a new eXtension Community of Practice for Agricultural Law. She has been involved with Arkansas Women in Agriculture, Inc. since its creation and currently serves on the Board of Directors. She also works with Annie's Project, a program designed to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information. Shannon's primary research areas include agritourism, landowner liability, risk management and renewable fuels. She is licensed to practice law in Arkansas.
Elizabeth Springsteen B.A., J.D., LL.M.
Staff Attorney
(479) 387-2331
esprings@uark.edu
Beth Springsteen was raised on a small family farm in Ida, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, where she was an active competitor, president, and captain of the Mock Trial team that participated in competitions across the Midwest. She also interned in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Virginia M. Morgan, United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. After graduating from MSU in 2004, Beth returned home and commuted to law school at the University of Toledo, where she graduated cum laude in May of 2007. While in law school, she volunteered as a coach of the Ida High School Mock Trial Team and continued to assist with the MSU team. In addition, she interned at the Michigan prosecutor's offices of Monroe and Lenawee counties, with the United States Attorney's Office in Toledo, and for the Honorable David A. Katz of the Northern District of Ohio. From 2005-2008, she was also employed by the Toledo law firm of Cosme, D'Angelo and Szollosi. Her LL.M. thesis was on the subject of animal confinement laws. Beth is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Ohio.
Rusty W. Rumley, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
Staff Attorney
(479) 575-2636
rrumley@uark.edu
Rusty Rumley was born and raised on the family farm in Cogar, Oklahoma. He graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University in 2004 with a B.S. in AgriBusiness and in 2007 received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma. While attending the University of Oklahoma he was a member of the American Indian Law Review and worked part-time for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation. Rusty has completed his LL.M in Agricultural Law at the University of Arkansas. Rusty's thesis paper for the LL.M. degree was concerning the future application of special use valuation under the Internal Revenue code for the valuation of farmland at prices other than fair market value, as well as the applicability of the statute as a model for future legislation designed to protect family farms. His primary areas of interest are in estate planning, taxation, business organizations, and alternative dispute resolution. Rusty is licensed to practice law in the state of Oklahoma.
Sally J. Kelley, B.A., M.A.T., M.A.
Research Professor, Librarian
(479) 575-7647
skelley@uark.edu
Sally J. Kelley, Center Librarian since its inception in 1988 and Research Professor, holds a B.A. and M.A.T. from Indiana University and an M.A. in Library Science from the University of Chicago. She provides reference service for the Center attorneys and those requesting information through the Center. She created the Center web site in 1995 and developed its agricultural law portal. She continues to manage the web library, which combines the portal with bibliographies and other research aids which she prepares. She also coordinates the Center's participation in the AgNIC network and performs agricultural law collection development. Sally is recognized for her expertise in conducting Internet legal research and has given numerous presentations on this subject. Her articles on Internet legal research have appeared in such periodicals as the Internet Lawyer and Perspectives: Teaching Legal Research and Writing. Other publications include bibliographies on agricultural and environmental law.
Ann B. Winfred
Publicity Director and Webmaster
(479) 575-7646
awinfred@uark.edu
Ann Winfred has many years' experience as a certified Paralegal Assistant and as the manager of a large court reporting firm. She served as assistant to the Director of the American Agricultural Law Association for two years while that association was housed at the University of Arkansas and was instrumental in organizing the successful AALA 2001 Annual Educational Conference in Colorado Springs and in creating the AALA Membership Directory. When the AALA relocated, Ann’s talents in publication and editing earned her a promotion to the position of Publicity and Information Specialist for the Center. Ms. Winfred was the spearhead in the design and building of the Center’s Web site and is responsible for designing and implementing new additions and substantive changes. She edits, formats, and publicizes all Center publications; posts all material to the Web site; prepares Web and print editions of the Center’s annual report; writes and issues press releases and announcements; maintains the calendar of Center events, attorney publications and presentations; administers the Center’s listserv; and manages the day-to-day business of the Center.
Jennifer Fiser, B.S., M.S., J.D., LL.M.
Research Associate
Jennifer Fiser graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. She received her Master's degree in Agronomy from Purdue University. While in graduate school, her research focused on the monitoring of E. coli in the environment. Prior to law school, Jennifer was a research technician in Purdue University's Food Science Department where she worked on projects involving pathogen detection and biosensor development. During law school, Jennifer served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Food Law & Policy and her comment, Harvey v. Veneman and the National Organic Program: Can Organic Be Synthetic?, was published in the Spring 2007 issue. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May 2008 and received her LL.M. degree from the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law in May 2009. Jennifer assumes a variety of tasks at the Center, including extensive legal research, editing of Center research publications and case summaries, and maintenance of Center web site content. She is licensed to practice law in Arkansas.
Paul Goeringer, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
Research Associate
Paul Goeringer was raised on his family's farm in the small town of Bessie, Oklahoma (population 194), a suburb of Cordell, Oklahoma (population 2,908). Upon graduation from Cordell High School, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he majored in Agricultural Economics. After graduation from OSU in 2004, Paul was selected by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to serve as the Frank D. Lucas Scholar in Washington DC, where he spent the summer working on agricultural issues and constituency services for the Honorable Frank D. Lucas of Oklahoma and trying to figure out mass transit. After returning home from DC, he began law school at Oklahoma City University School of Law and became active in the Agricultural Law club. During his third year of law school, Paul transferred to the University of Oklahoma's College of Law and graduated with honors in May of 2007. He also worked for Johnston & Associates in Chickasha, OK during his third year of law school. Paul received his LL.M. degree in May of 2009. For the Center, Paul is responsible for updating the case law indexes each month, editing new indexes as they are created, and has written on Clean Water Act issues and takings issues in agritourism for the Center. In August of 2009, Paul began work on his Masters of Science degree in AgriculturalEconomics in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. While earning his Master's Degree, Paul will lead collaborative, interdisciplinary research activities between the National Agricultural Law Center and the Bumpers College for Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences in several areas, including carbon policy, environmental issues, sustainability, right-to-farm laws, and farm program payment eligibility, among other topics. Paul is licensed to practice law in Oklahoma.
Glenn E. Cason, Jr., B.S.
Research Assistant
Glenn E. Cason, Jr. is a 2004 recipient of the United States Department of Agriculture 1890 National Scholarship to attend Prairie View A&M University. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Economics. Glenn has spent the past six summers working in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area for various USDA entities, including Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Research Service, and the Office of the General Counsel. Glenn is currently a second year law student at the University of Arkansas School of Law. He is also the president of the University of Arkansas Chapter of the Black Law Student Association.
Megan Cunningham, B.S.
Research Assistant
Originally from Carl Junction, MO, Megan Cunningham graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Agricultural Business Management and Marketing with minors in Communication and Global Agriculture. Megan interned in Washington, D.C. for Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas where she focused on legislation relating to food insecurity issues. She also completed an internship in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland. As an undergraduate Megan was a Bumpers College Ambassador, a University Ambassador, and a member of the Agribusiness Club and the Dean's Advisory Board. She worked in the Bumpers College Deans Office and for the Division of Agriculture and plans to pursue graduate work in International Agriculture. Megan is working on digitizing the articles cited in Prof. Drew Kershen's Agricultural Law Bibliography published on the Center website.
Noel Smith, B.A.
Research Assistant
Hailing from Chattanooga, TN, Noel Smith graduate magna cum laude from Rollins College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Sustainable Development. Following graduation Noel interned for Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR) in Washington, D.C. before taking a position as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Lincoln Davis (TN). Noel continued to work as a Senior Legislative Assistant and Speechwriter for Congressman Davis for the next several years before moving to Arkansas with his wife, Hannah.
Jay Robbins
Research Assistant
Jay Robbins is a senior at the University of Arkansas studying Public Relations with a minor in Political Science. He recently finished an internship with U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and has previously interned for U.S. Representative Mike Ross. Prior to joining the Center research team, Jay worked as a lab assistant in the Agriculture, Food and Life Science department under the direction of Dr. Charles Rosenkrans.
Joshua L. Bailey, B.A., J.D.
Josh Bailey graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law where he was President of the Environmental Law Society and in that role organized a multi-state environmental law conference held at the School of Law in 2007. He was also a semi-finalist in the Benjamin J. Altheimer Moot Court competition. Josh has clerked in both Arkansas and Texas, working in environmental law, agricultural law, oil and gas law, corporate law, criminal defense and family law. He is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.
Liliana Reyes Botero
Liliana Reyes Botero grew up in Ibagué (Colombia) and studied law at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota. She worked at the Colombian Fond for financing the Agricultural Sector (Finagro), was an attorney of the National Agricultural Fund of Securities (FAG) and later promoted to the Legal Vice Presidency. Last year Liliana participated in the USDA sponsored Cochran Fellowship Program in Good Agricultural Practices at the University of California at Davis. She will receive a Master degree (Formation Doctoral) in Legal Theory from the European Academy of Legal Theory of Brussels (Belgium) in October 2009. She is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.
Emily Bridges, B.A., J.D.
Emily Bridges graduated magna cum laude from Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May of 2008. While in law school, Emily was a student editor for the Journal of Islamic Law & Culture, and clerked for Davis, Clark, Butt, Carithers & Taylor, PLC and the Doss Law Firm in Fayetteville. During her third year in law school, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable David Clinger of the Arkansas Circuit Court, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit West, Division 2. After graduation, she worked for the University of Arkansas Legal e-Source project, and is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law. Emily is licensed to practice law in Arkansas.
Nastasya Knyazhishcheva
Nastasya Knyazhishcheva graduated from the Novgorod State University in 2006 and worked in the area of real estate transactions, conclusion of sale and purchase contracts, and lease agreements. After graduating, she was a junior attorney in the representative office of American Consulting Law firm in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her experience includes corporate law, real estate transactions, and licensing of different types of business activities. Nastasya also participated in the Jessup International Law Moot Competition in 2005 and 2006, National Round, and the Winter Academy 2006, organized by the Center for European Security Studies (at INION RAN, Moscow). She is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.
Baylen J. Linnekin, B.A., M.A., J.D.
Baylen Linnekin grew up in Massachusetts and earned his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. While in law school, he served as a Note & Comment editor with the Administrative Law Review; worked as a Dean's Fellow and research assistant under Prof. Norman Stein; and served as a student attorney in the school's General Practice Clinic. Prior to law school, he earned an M.A. degree in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University and B.A. from American University. He is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.
Walt McCarter, B.S., J.D.
Walt McCarter graduated magna cum laude from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business. He received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May 2009. While in law school, Walt was a member of the American Constitution Society, Media, Entertainment & Sports Law Association, and a member of the 2008-2009 Board of Advocates. He has clerked at Bassett Law Firm in Fayetteville, worked as a research assistant for the University of Arkansas Southwest Research & Experiment Center in Hope, Arkansas, and worked at the Center for over a year research and writing over 300 of the case summaries posted on the Center website. Walt is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law and is licensed to practice law in the state of Arkansas.
Suzanne McMillan, B.A., J.D.
Originally from Falls Church, VA, Suzanne graduated with honors from Earlham College with a degree in Sociology/Anthropology. In May of 2009, she earned a J.D. and a certificate of specialization in international law from Pace University School of Law. Prior to law school, Suzanne worked as a researcher for FarmedAnimal.Net, documented livestock conditions in U.S. factory farms and stockyards, researched EU member states' animal welfare laws, and wrote for an international animal advocacy magazine. She assisted the Westchester County District Attorney's office with animal cruelty prosecutions, as well as performed legal research for animal protection organizations. She is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.
Vivek Nemane
Vivek Nemane has a multidisciplinary background with a Masters in Public Policy (CEU, Budapest), a Masters in Development Studies (ISS, The Hague), and a Bachelors of Law (ILS Law College, Pune), with further studies focused on International Law, Human Rights and Criminal Law while pursuing a Masters of Law (University of Pune, India). Vivek worked as an intern with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN at the regional office for Europe and Central Asia in Budapest, Hungary. With BS in Horticulture, he has significant horticultural work experience and has also received Diploma in European Union Law by the European Commission. He is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Agricultural Law.