A Package Deal: The Delicious Intersection of Food, Business, and Law

Minnesota is home to dozens of food companies large and small, as the headquarters for familiar Fortune 500 and private food and agriculture businesses. Along with the strong representation of established businesses comes a thriving startup market. These businesses need lawyers who know the industry. Minnesota Law's Corporate Institute has invited three outstanding lawyers practicing in the food law space to discuss their practices and the intersection of food, business, and law.

Please join us for a panel discussion featuring three Minnesota Law alumni who work in different aspects of food business representation, from advising on supply chain issues and material contracts, to reviewing labels, packaging, and advertising, to supporting food manufacturing and defending and preventing litigation. 

Sarah Brew '90 is a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath and has a national reputation for effectively defending food industry clients against labeling and class action consumer fraud claims and representing food processors, distributors and retailers in foodborne illness and contamination cases and supply chain disputes. She also assists food and dietary supplement clients with compliance matters. Sarah has served as national counsel in foodborne illness cases arising from many major outbreaks and has represented Fortune 500 food companies and retailers facing consumer fraud class actions challenging aspects of product labeling. Sarah also counsels and provides risk management advice to food and dietary supplement clients on labeling and regulatory compliance matters. Sarah leads the firm's food litigation and regulatory practice, which is nationally ranked by Chambers USA, and is a leader of the firm's food and agribusiness industry group. Sarah graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Kelly Laudon '06 is Director Assistant General Counsel at The Hershey Company. Prior to joining Hershey, Kelly worked at Jones Day as a food law and litigation attorney and before that was a partner at Lindquist and Vennum, litigating federal commercial disputes including for food companies. Kelly graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Emily Zambrana '15 is in-house regulatory counsel for Whole Foods Market. She specializes in advising the company on labeling and related regulatory issues for food, cosmetic, and other consumer products. Prior to joining Whole Foods, Emily worked at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, where she defended food and agribusiness companies in false advertising class actions and other product liability lawsuits, and advised food and beverage companies on product labeling and advertising. Prior to joining Faegre, Emily clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for Judge Richard Suhrheinrich. Emily graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.

The panel will be moderated by Kiri Somermeyer, Executive Director of Minnesota Law's Corporate Institute and Jacqueline Brandt, Minnesota Law 3L. Prior to joining Minnesota Law, Kiri was Associate General Counsel at Post Consumer Brands, and before that worked at the Faegre firm representing food companies in litigation and risk management counseling. 

Lunch will be provided with an RSVP by March 18, 2024.