AG LawThe agriculture law division is directed toward the prevention of potential lawsuits against the deprtment and personnel including the provision of legal, legislative and administrative counsel.
Through its counsel, Legal Services devotes considerable time to activities directed toward the prevention of potential lawsuits against the department and its personnel; and conducts and coordinates, as representatives of the Office of the Attorney General, all civil and criminal legal matters that pertain to the department, including the performance of highly complex and important litigation before state and federal trial and appellate courts, and administrative tribunals.
Duties performed by Legal Services include legal, legislative and administrative counsel to the Commissioner, his deputies, and administrative heads in the exercise of their duties in dealing with
In performing these duties, Legal Services Counsel writes legal opinions, drafts rules and regulations, prepares all leases and department contracts, and drafts, interprets, and tracks all legislation introduced in the legislature; engages in courtroom defense of lawsuits against the department; conducts all administrative hearings and prosecutes criminal activity involving persons or firms regulated by the Department; also assists in the collection of fees, fines, and prepares and files liens against property of debtors, files claims and prosecutes claims in the Bankruptcy Court; defends Boards of Adjustment claims against the department, and attends all deposition involving testimony of employees as expert witnesses.
Legal Services also provides counsel to the Board of Agriculture and Industries, Alabama Public Livestock Market Board, Alabama Agricultural and Industrial Exhibit Commission, Alabama Agricultural Development Authority, and Agricultural Center Board, and otherwise assists the Commission as deemed necessary.