Legal experts to discuss Chevron doctrine, agency authority at Mid-South conference
OFW Law's John Dillard and Ark Ag Law's Grant Ballard will lead a session on the landmark SCOTUS decision and its implications.
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Jan. 29, 2025
Fast facts:
- Session to focus on landmark Supreme Court decision on agency authority
- Nationally recognized food and ag industry lawyers will present
- Registration is available online
(417 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two nationally recognized legal experts will discuss the role that federal agencies have with agriculture and food industries following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that changes the landscape of federal regulation of agriculture.
In its June 2024 decision in Loper Bright Enters v. Raimondo, the Supreme Court overturned the longstanding “Chevron doctrine” that was established in the 1984 case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. NRDC. The doctrine said that, generally, courts should defer to a federal agency’s own interpretation of its rules when a litigant challenges that agency’s interpretation of its own rule.
“Agriculture is the most heavily regulated industry in the United States, so any change in the scope of agency authority is a very huge deal,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC. “The Court’s decision to overturn Chevron, coupled with other recent decisions, is a major league change in the ballgame for federal agencies, producers, attorneys, and others.”
Legal experts Grant Ballard, partner at the Arkansas-based firm of Ark Ag Law, and John Dillard, principal at Washington, D.C.-based OFW Law, will co-present “Shifting Sands: Agency Authority, Ag, & Food in a Post-Chevron World” as part of the 12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
The conference is June 5-6 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and is co-hosted by the NALC and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation. A livestream option is also available. The main conference program is held June 6, preceded by the annual “Beer & BBQ” dinner the evening of June 5 at The Rendezvous.
“Grant Ballard has extensive experience dealing with USDA and other federal agencies, including farm program payment disputes, wetlands issues, federal crop insurance disputes, and more,” Pittman said. “John Dillard brings a wealth of experience as well, particularly through food industry issues before agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration. Their combined insight is especially valuable, and we’re thrilled that they’ll be a part of a great lineup of presenters this year.”
Registration, agenda and more information for the Mid-South is available online at https://nationalaglawcenter.org/legaleducation/mid-south-2025.
For more information on the SCOTUS Chevron decision, visit nationalaglawcenter.org/supreme-court-overturns-long-standing-chevron-doctrine.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
Continuing legal education available
The Mid-South will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi,
Missouri, and Tennessee. Approval for CE will also be sought from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Those who register by May 13 are eligible for bonus CLE/CE during the online “Early
Bird” on May 14.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s
leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works
with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional
staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide
objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s
agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and
works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural
Library.
About the NASDA Foundation
The NASDA Foundation is the only educational and research organization that directly
serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. The mission of the NASDA Foundation is to advance agriculture to shape
a changing world.
For more information on the NASDA Foundation, visit nasda.org/nasda-foundation. The NASDA Foundation is also on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen
agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption
of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative
Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work
within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension
and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and
is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu