Western Montana Agricultural Law Lawyer
Legal issues permeate the farming and ranching industries. Federal regulation of the environment, conservation programs, crop insurance, and production programs create a maze of regulations with which even the most diligent producer needs legal assistance.
I'm Brad Aklestad, a lawyer who focuses on agricultural and environmental law in western Montana. I represent farmers, ranchers, agricultural corporations and cooperatives in a variety of legal matters, including administrative and regulatory work, oil and gas rights, personal injury claims, estate planning, buying and selling land, and contract disputes. I have successfully handled many water rights cases over the years and am skilled at helping clients present their best case to the court.
Administrative and regulatory work
I am a lawyer who represents landowners in administrative and regulatory work with state and federal agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Montana Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, local water districts and irrigation districts. Examples of administrative and regulatory work include:
- Conservation stewardship plans with the FSA
- Waste management plans for confinement feed operations.
- Waste disposal plans for the state Department of Environmental Quality.
- Conservation easements between ranchers and conservation agencies
- EPA easements
- Land use issues
- Natural resources rights,
- Water rights
I also handle zoning changes for agricultural operations on the outskirts of a city.
Agricultural Personal Injury Claims
Agriculture has long been a dangerous occupation, injuring producers, employees, and unfortunately innocent third parties. Farm liability to employees and third parties requires careful business planning and strong legal advocacy, if necessary. Chemical exposure, defective products and manufacturing all pose threats to farm safety and significant financial risks to the farm/ranch operation.
As an attorney representing farmers, ranchers, and agricultural corporations and cooperatives, I often handle cases involving:
- Damage claims related to defective seed, defective chemicals and other torts
- Toxic tort litigation from injuries caused by agricultural chemicals
- Personal injury cases from faulty design or defects in agricultural machines
- Defending sole proprietors and corporations from lawsuits from third parties who are injured
- Avoiding liability on your farm and ranch
Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
Agriculture also provides producers the opportunity to accumulate wealth and the opportunity to transfer the business to the next generation. As an estate planning lawyer, I help ranchers farmers protect what they have spent decades building.
Some of the estate planning as asset preservation services I provide include:
- Land transfers between generations
- 10-31 property exchanges
- Family trusts
- Creation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation
- Keeping your corporation or LLC in compliance with regulations from various agencies
My Background
When you are looking for a lawyer for your farm operation, it's important to select someone who understands your heritage, lifestyle, and needs. I am also a farmer and lawyer with lifelong roots in Western Montana. My experience as a landowner gives me a practical, hands-on perspective than an attorney who comes from outside of the agricultural and natural resources industries. I am a lawyer who understands the perspective of property owners.
I was raised on a family farm in north-central Montana growing wheat and barley, and today I operate much of the original farmstead. Like many other young farmers, I am committed to preserving the farm and ranch legacy for my family.
Contact me, western Montana agricultural law lawyer Brad Aklestad.
Agricultural law attorney Brad Aklestad serves clients in western Montana, including Shelby, Helena, Great Falls, Billings, and Missoula. He serves the following counties: Toole, Glacier, Cascade, Yellowstone, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Missoula.
Aklestad Law office
205 Main Street
P.O. 987
Shelby, MT 59474
Phone: 406-424-8200
Fax: 406-424-8201
