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Business Law

Agribusiness

North Carolina Agribusiness Attorneys

Agribusiness is a cornerstone of North Carolina’s economy, from family farms and growers to food processors, distributors, and agricultural technology innovators. Businesses across the agricultural supply chain face complex legal challenges involving environmental regulations, land use, business transactions, and succession planning.

Strategic growth in the agricultural industry often involves mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and financing.

Manning Fulton attorneys guide buyers, sellers, and investors through agribusiness transactions in North Carolina, from routine operational agreements to complex deals that require coordinated legal, financial, and tax planning. Our agribusiness transactional services include:

Mergers and acquisitions;
Transaction due diligence;
Farm and agricultural facility acquisitions;
Agricultural equipment and technology purchases;
Supply and offtake agreements;
Business entity structuring;
Debt and equity financing (angel, venture capital, and private equity);
Tax strategy and R&D credit planning;
Strategic alliances and joint ventures;
Executive compensation planning;
Retirement and employee benefit plans; and
Employment and workforce agreements.

Innovation drives modern agriculture — from precision farming technology to new agricultural products and processing techniques. Protecting intellectual property is essential to maintaining a competitive advantage. Our agribusiness attorneys assist clients with:

Trademark applications;
Intellectual property licensing agreements;
Joint development and collaboration agreements;
Confidentiality and trade secret protection; and
Intellectual property portfolio management.

Land is the foundation of any agricultural operation. Our attorneys assist agribusiness clients with real estate matters throughout North Carolina, ensuring transactions are structured to support long-term operational goals. Our services include:

Agricultural land purchases and sales;
Farm leases and development agreements;
Easements, access rights, and infrastructure planning; and
Title due diligence.

For many agricultural businesses, long-term success depends on thoughtful succession planning and estate strategies to preserve family legacies. Our attorneys work with farm owners and agribusiness leaders to develop customized plans to address:

Intergenerational transfers of farmland and business assets;
Management succession planning;
Tax-efficient ownership structures;
Family governance frameworks; and
Business continuity planning.

When conflicts arise, Manning Fulton attorneys provide strong representation in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. Our litigators handle:

Contract and commercial disputes;
Supplier and distributor conflicts;
Agricultural lender disputes;
Ownership and partnership disagreements;
Employment matters; and
Bankruptcy and financial restructuring.

Partner with Manning Fulton

Whether you are expanding your farm, protecting agricultural technology, structuring a transaction, or planning for the next generation of leadership, Manning Fulton attorneys are committed to supporting the growth and stability of North Carolina’s agricultural industry. Contact us to discuss how we can help.

Who We Serve

Manning Fulton’s agribusiness clients include:

Family Farms & Farm Owners

Families and individuals managing agricultural land, farm operations, succession planning, and long-term ownership decisions.

Growers, Food Processors & Distributors

Agribusinesses across the food supply chain that need legal support for operations, contracts, growth, and risk management.

Agricultural Technology Companies

Innovators developing products, services, or technology for the agriculture industry.

Agribusiness Buyers, Sellers & Investors

Parties involved in mergers, acquisitions, financing, joint ventures, or strategic growth transactions.

Farm Owners Planning for Succession

Owners preparing for intergenerational transfers, business continuity, and long-term preservation of family assets.

Agricultural Landowners

Landowners navigating real estate transactions, easements, land use approvals, development issues, or property-related matters.

Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Groups looking to expand or continue their contribution to the agricultural supply chain.

Related Professionals

Jennifer L. Weaver

Attorney

Email weaver@manningfulton.com

William B. Gwyn, Jr.

Attorney

Email bgwyn@manningfulton.com

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®

Twenty-seven Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® across a broad range of practice areas.

2027

Recognized attorneys

Eugene F. Dauchert, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Randolph M. Fletcher - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law; Tax Law
Dieter Mauch - Employment Law Management; Labor and Employment Litigation
Charles L. Steel IV - Corporate Law; Tax Litigation and Controversy; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Reich L. Welborn - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law
Holly B. Martin - Trusts and Estates
Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
Stephen T. Byrd - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Alison R. Cayton - Commercial Finance Law; Real Estate Law
William S. Cherry III - Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Employment Law Management; Insurance Law; Insurance Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation
Sandra Martin Clark - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
James H. Clarke - Corporate Law; Healthcare Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Jessica L. Elliott - Real Estate Law
William B. Gwyn, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Commercial Finance Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Thomas I. Lyon - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law
Barry D. Mann - Real Estate Law
Michael T. Medford - Antitrust Law; Appellate Practice; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Antitrust Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy
Charles H. Munn - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Kevin A. Prakke - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Regulation
Natalie M. Rice - Commercial Litigation
Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
William C. Smith, Jr. - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Construction Litigation
Ritchie W. Taylor - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Franchise Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Jessica B. Vickers - Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law
Jennifer L. Weaver - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trust and Estates
Judson A. Welborn - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Franchise Law; Banking and Finance Litigation; Construction Litigation; Land Use and Zoning Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

2027

Recognized attorneys

Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law

Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1

The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.

2026

Recognized in:

Appellate Practice
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Business Organizations
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Commercial Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Health Care Law
Insurance Law
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Insurance
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation & Controversy – Tax
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Real Estate Litigation
Tax Law
Trusts & Estates Law

Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”

Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”

2026

Legal Elite