Stokes Lawrence has the premier agriculture practice in Washington, anchored by one of the largest and most respected legal teams in Eastern Washington. Based in Yakima, our firm is deeply embedded in the heart of Washington’s $184+ billion agriculture industry. We represent many of the region’s leading growers, ranchers, packers, distributors, and service providers, handling some of the most complex and high-stakes transactions and disputes in the sector.
Our agriculture attorneys are widely recognized for their deep industry knowledge and decades of experience. Clients rely on us for comprehensive support across the full spectrum of their business needs—from entity formation and real estate to employment matters, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and distribution. We understand the unique business and legal challenges facing agriculture businesses and offer practical, results-oriented advice to help clients resolve issues and achieve their goals. We also provide long-term strategic guidance, including business succession and estate planning, to ensure stability and continuity for family-owned and multi-generational operations.
Areas of focus include:
Business Operations. We help clients manage day-to-day operational needs, maintain proper legal records, and negotiate and prepare the agreements essential to their business success. Our experience includes drafting and negotiating a wide range of service agreements—from technology and training to personnel and other key operational services.
Employment Relations. We advise employers on H-2A practices, employment agreements, workplace policies, personnel management, hiring and termination, and labor relations. We also provide training on all aspects of employment and employment-related immigration issues. When litigation becomes unavoidable, we advocate vigorously for our clients and have a strong record of successfully defending their interests.
Environmental Protection & Land Use. We help clients manage and operate their businesses in compliance with environmental and land-use regulations. Our attorneys advise and advocate for clients in matters involving federal, state, and local environmental and land-use requirements, permitting, and regulatory procedures.
Estate Planning. We work closely with clients and their financial advisors to develop and implement effective business succession plans. Our estate planning services range from foundational planning to structuring complex trusts, intra-family gifts and wealth transfers, and charitable giving strategies. We also help clients prevent and resolve family disputes involving trusts and estates.
Intellectual Property. We help agricultural clients protect, license, and enforce their trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property. Our attorneys have significant experience licensing patented plant varieties and litigating agriculture-related patent infringement disputes.
Litigation. We represent small landowners as well as large commercial producers and packers in a wide range of matters, including business disputes, labor and employment claims, insurance coverage issues, marketing disputes, patent litigation, class actions, EEOC matters, and trade disputes.
Mergers & Acquisitions. We handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales of all sizes, whether involving a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company.
Real Estate. We represent clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, including the purchase and sale of agricultural properties and industrial sites. We also advise on related service agreements, such as site acquisition, design, and construction services.
Wine & Spirits Industries. We assist wineries and other alcoholic beverage producers with labeling, licensing, sales, and regulatory compliance.
