Jeff

Bringing extensive experience to the farming industry and agricultural law, litigator Jeff Masson advises and advocates for agribusiness and biotechnology clients in national and global matters. As a former crop consultant, agronomic crop specialist and self-described Louisiana country boy who grew up on a farm, he provides adept guidance based on real-world considerations.

Jeff defends retail and manufacturer clients who create and sell products such as the seeds, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers used on primary and secondary row crops. He also handles many cases involving purported marketing misconduct by agricultural vendors, as well as patent infringement, breach of contract and product liability claims. Frequently involved in the early notice of claims and investigating conditions on the ground, Jeff assesses allegations relating to crop damage and yield reduction, determines the facts, and forms appropriate responses.

Clients appreciate that they don’t need to retain experts to bring Jeff up to speed on issues like crop science, plant pathology and the chemistry behind the products used in the fields. He comes to each matter with a full understanding of these and other related topics. Always searching for fast and cost-effective legal resolutions, Jeff often crafts practical but favorable settlements for clients. If a trial is warranted, however, he rolls up his sleeves and battles vigorously in the courtroom, going toe-to-toe with expert witnesses, and usually prevails on behalf of his clients. In all cases, he works to devise litigation strategies that protect clients’ valuable reputations, as well as their bottom lines.

Jeff’s down-to-earth Southern style and ease in connecting with people from all backgrounds serve clients well, whether he’s talking to a jury, opposing counsel, growers, crop advisors or farm product vendors. He often speaks on agriculture law topics at the request of farm-related organizations and has written several academic articles on weed science.