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.

experience

Bowman v. Monsanto (U.S. Supreme Court)

Jeff played an instrumental role in an influential saved seed case that in 2013 resulted in a unanimous ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court for Monsanto. Jeff helped develop the core legal strategy for the case and led the company through six years of appeals. The decision had far-reaching effects for other companies that produce self-replicating technologies such as vaccines and cell lines.

  • Southern University, J.D., 2003
  • Louisiana State University, M.S., Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, 2000
  • Louisiana State University, B.S., Plant and Soil Systems, 1998

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • The Supreme Court of the United States

Professional

  • Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association (LACA), Affiliate Member
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • American Agricultural Law Association
  • Certified Agricultural Consultant

  • Named an “Influential Appellate Advocate” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for his key role in the U.S. Supreme Court case Bowman v. Monsanto, 2014
  • Named an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2013

  • “Acetolactate Synthase-Inhibiting Herbicides on Imidazolinone-Tolerant Rice”
    Weed Science, Vol. 49, No. 5, pp. 652-657
  • “Use of Imazethapyr in Water-Seeded Imidazolinone-Tolerant Rice (Oryza sativa)”
    Weed Technology, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 103-106
  • “Flood Depth, Application Timing, and Imazethapyr Activity in Imidazolinone-Tolerant Rice (Oryza sativa)”
    Weed Technology, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 315-319
  • “Experimental Herbicides for Weed Control in Rice”
    Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings, Vol. 52, pp. 16-17
  • “Is ‘Expert’ Status Always Advantageous?”
    Ag Professional, August 2006

My wife and I have two sons and a daughter, and I love to spend time with them, including teaching them practical skills. I also enjoy hunting and fishing.