Agribusiness Experience

Jeff is a partner and chair of the firm’s Agribusiness Practice Group. Jeff has been representing clients in the agriculture industry for over 30 years and understands the unique issues and laws that apply to this industry. His clients include farmers, ranchers, growers, lenders, distributors, and suppliers. Many of his clients are family-owned businesses in the dairy, fruit, vegetable, and plant industries that are recognized leaders in the Oregon and Washington agribusiness industry.

Jeff has considerable experience in the area of creditors’ rights related to agriculture cases, and the enforcement of lien and trust rights under state and federal law. Jeff serves as general counsel for all types and sizes of agricultural related organizations, and has successfully represented Oregon and Washington agribusiness clients in a number of multi-million dollar merger and acquisition transactions.

Business Restructuring & Bankruptcy Experience

Additionally, Jeff has 30 years of experience in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditors’ rights. His practice focuses on representing creditors, lenders, governmental entities, trustees, and court appointed receivers in both federal and state court cases.  Jeff frequently represents secured creditors in Chapter 11 cases filed throughout the country including such cases as Montgomery Ward, Regal Cinemas, Kmart, MCI WorldCom, TWA, Budget Rent-a-Car, Delta, and Northwest Airlines.  He also represents creditors in bankruptcy litigation, including preference, fraudulent conveyance, and dischargeability proceedings.  

Jeff represents business clients in state and federal court litigation filed in Oregon and Washington and provides counsel on general business matters.  A significant portion of his practice involves representing individuals and businesses in the agriculture industry. 

Jeff’s Business Restructuring & Bankruptcy practice includes:

  • Bankruptcy Reorganizations
  • Business & Bankruptcy Litigation
  • Chapter 7 & 11 Trustee Representation
  • Debtor/Creditor Rights
  • Enforcement of Article 9 and Statutory Lien Rights
  • Post-Judgment Collection
  • Representation of Agricultural Producers and Suppliers
  • Representation of Food Distributors and Suppliers
  • Representation of Receivers and Fiduciaries
  • Representation of Creditors and Lenders in Bankruptcy
  • State and Federal Court Litigation
  • Workouts with Creditors

  • What I did during the Pandemic; New Developments in Agribusiness Receivership and Insolvency Proceedings, (OSB CLE Webcast) (2021)
  • Agriculture Law and Agribusiness Receiverships, (Mackrell Law Network) (2020)
  • The Enforcement of Rights and Claims Under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, (PACA) (2016)

Professional Organizations

  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • American Bar Association
    • Business Law Section
    • Law Practice Management
  • Oregon State Bar
    • Agricultural Law Section, Chair (2016)
    • Debtor/Creditor Section
  • Multnomah Bar Association (Oregon)
  • Turnaround Management Association (Northwest Chapter)
  • Washington State Bar