Professional Staff
Center Director
Harrison M. Pittman, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
Harrison received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, after attending Mississippi State University and graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He then earned an LL.M. in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law’s Graduate Program in Agricultural Law. Harrison has worked at the Center since 2001. During that time, his title and job duties have spanned the range of graduate assistant, staff attorney, co-director, interim director and currently, director; in which capacity he has served since 2007.
He has taught at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law as part of the Ben J. Altheimer Distinguished Professorship for Agricultural Law, and has also served as a visiting professor at the Drake University Law School. In addition, he has taught Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Introduction to Agricultural Law in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. In that role, he was awarded the 2011-2012 Agricultural Business Club Teaching Award.
He is an active member of the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA), the nation’s only professional organization focused on the legal needs of the agricultural community, and was the first recipient of the AALA’s Excellence in Agricultural Law award in 2010. Additionally, he is an active member of the Arkansas Bar Association, where he helped found the Agricultural Law Section, later served as interim chair and chair, and currently serves as vice-chair. He is a frequent presenter on a range of topics and issues, including the farm bill, water law, and environmental law. He has authored articles on numerous subjects, including the National Organic Program, the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the constitutionality of corporate farming laws, pesticide regulation and litigation, agritourism, states’ recreational use statutes, the Packers and Stockyards Act, agricultural bankruptcy issues, and environmental laws impacting agriculture.
Senior Staff Attorney
(479) 387-2331
erumley@uark.edu | C.V.
Elizabeth Rumley, B.A., J.D., LL.M.
Beth was raised on a small family farm in Ida, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, where she was an active competitor, president, and captain of the Mock Trial team that participated in competitions across the Midwest. She also interned in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Virginia M. Morgan, United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. After graduating from MSU in 2004, Beth returned home and commuted to law school at the University of Toledo, where she graduated cum laude in May of 2007. While in law school, she volunteered as a coach of the Ida High School Mock Trial Team and continued to assist with the MSU team. In addition, she interned at the Michigan prosecutor’s offices of Monroe and Lenawee counties, with the United States Attorney’s Office in Toledo, and for the Honorable David A. Katz of the Northern District of Ohio. From 2005-2008, she was also employed by the Toledo law firm of Cosme, D’Angelo and Szollosi. She is licensed to practice law in Michigan, Ohio and Oklahoma.
At the Center, her primary research and scholarship focus is on legal issues in animal agriculture, and she frequently lectures on those issues and others to audiences nationwide. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member in the University of Arkansas’ Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, Animal Science Department, and the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Department. Further, Mrs. Rumley works closely with and is on the advisory board of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Center for Food Animal Well-Being.
She has co-taught a course titled “Animals and Agricultural Production, Law and Policy” several times at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and most recently at the University of Nebraska College of Law, has developed and teaches a course on legal issues in animal agriculture through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, and teaches a course on agriculture and the environment, also through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.
Senior Staff Attorney
(479) 575-2636
rrumley@uark.edu | C.V.
Rusty W. Rumley, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
Rusty was born and raised on a family farm in Cogar, Oklahoma. He graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University in 2004 with a B.S. in AgriBusiness and in 2007 earned his juris doctor from the University of Oklahoma. While attending the University of Oklahoma he was a member of the American Indian Law Review and worked part-time for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation. After law school, Rusty earned his LL.M in Agricultural Law at the University of Arkansas. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Oklahoma and Michigan.
Rusty has published law review articles discussing the future application of special use valuation for inherited farmland, “right to farm” statutes, and the enforcement of animal cruelty statutes by private organizations. He has also written on landowner liability, agritourism, food labeling, local food production, business organizations, crop insurance, estate planning, leasing, and other land use topics in his work at the Center. Further, Rusty presents around the country to producer, consumer, extension, industry and legal groups on an array of topics.
Additionally, he has co-taught a course titled “Animals and Agricultural Production, Law and Policy” several times at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and most recently at the University of Nebraska College of Law and teaches an introduction to agricultural law course through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the University of Arkansas’ Animal Science Department and the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Department.
His primary areas of interest are in estate planning, taxation, business organizations, landowner liability, leasing and agritourism.
Staff Attorney
brollins@uark.edu
Brigit Rollins, B.A., J.D.
Brigit began her life in Sonoma County, in the heart of California’s wine country. Growing up, she was surrounded by small farms, dairies, and wineries, which ultimately led to a passion for agriculture and the environment. She attended Sonoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies, and a minor in studio arts. While at Sonoma State, Brigit studied different types of agricultural methods and how those methods could be used to promote environmental sustainability. After graduating from Sonoma State in 2015, she started as a law student at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. While at Lewis & Clark, she worked as a student clerk for the Western Resources Legal Center, where she worked on cases assisting small ranches, farms, and municipalities. During her time at Lewis & Clark, she also interned with the California Farm Bureau Federation, and worked as a law clerk for the Sacramento-based environmental law firm Somach Simmons & Dunn. While at the California Farm Bureau, Brigit focused on Environmental Species Act issues and water law issues, as well as issues specific to California. While at Somach Simmons & Dunn, Brigit expanded her work on water law and participated in work involving federal Indian law. On campus, Brigit was on the board of Lewis & Clark’s Food & Ag Law Society and served as a student member of the ABA Public Lands Committee. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon.
Brigit began her work at the Center as a research fellow during her second year of law school. As a research fellow, Brigit worked on a wide variety of agricultural law topics ranging from liability issues to the new frontier of lab-grown meat. In 2019, Brigit graduated from Lewis & Clark and joined the Center full-time. At the Center, her primary area of research and scholarship is environmental law as it intersects with agriculture. She maintains an interest in promoting sustainability and environmental health through agriculture and resource use.
Staff Attorney
eestone@uark.edu
Emily Stone, B.S., J.D., LL.M.
A proud native of Pike Road, Alabama, Emily has been exposed to agriculture all of her life. Through both her grandfather’s cattle operation and her father’s role as the Executive Director of the National Young Farmers Educational Association, some of her earliest memories involve the agriculture industry. Emily is a fourth-generation graduate of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Communications. During her time at Auburn, she served in various student leadership roles in the College of Ag while simultaneously working for four years as an undergraduate assistant for Auburn’s softball team. Emily spent two summers during her undergraduate years working in Washington, D.C. – both as a congressional intern for Congressman Mike Rogers and as an intern for Tyson Foods’ Government Relations Team.
Emily graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2022 and earned an LL.M. in Agricultural and Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2023. During her years at Arkansas Law, Emily served in various roles for the Arkansas Journal of Food Law & Policy including as Staff Editor, Editor-in-Chief, and Graduate Assistant. Additionally, Emily worked for four years as a Graduate Manager with the two-time SEC Championship winning Arkansas Razorbacks softball team. While earning her J.D., Emily worked for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Montgomery, AL-based firm Gilpin Givhan, PC, and Tyson Foods’ Law Department. During the LL.M. program, Emily worked in the USDA’s Office of the General Counsel. Emily lives in Fayetteville with her Border Collie, Marty.
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
Drew Viguet, B.A., M.A.
Drew was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but grew up in Springfield, Missouri. In his early years, he was interested in writing, public speaking, music, and drama. He did journalism throughout high school, developing his passion for effective writing and communications. He served as editor-in-chief of the school’s newsmagazine his senior year.
Returning to his birth state, Drew attended college at the University of Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with a News/Editorial focus. He then earned a Master of Arts in Communication, also from the University of Arkansas. During his time at the university, Drew worked as a staff reporter, assistant news editor, and copy editor for The Arkansas Traveler, the student-led newspaper of the University of Arkansas. He also completed a communications internship working in the College of Education & Health Professions. While earning his master’s, Drew worked as a graduate assistant, teaching courses of Communication 1313: Public Speaking. Drew has also worked for Acorn: The Influence Company, which is based out of Rogers, Arkansas, taught as a substitute teacher, and recently worked in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness.
At the National Agricultural Law Center, Drew works on conference publicity, webinar programming, press releases, social media, and more.
Website & Resource Editor
Ramie Parsons, B.S.
Ramie spent most of her childhood in Western Arkansas, where she graduated from Waldron High School. While there, she participated in journalism and also worked during the summer for the Waldron News. After attending the University of Arkansas, she earned her B.S. in Human Environmental Sciences, part of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, & Life Sciences. Her concentration was in Childhood Development from Birth to Three Years, and she put those skills to use during the several years she spent working with both typically developing and special needs children, providing care and teaching developmentally appropriate practices. Since then, she has turned her focus to part-time website editing at the National Agricultural Law Center. Additionally, she operates her own business as a medical billing and coding specialist for mental health professionals in private practice.
Research Fellow
Will Scobey, B.A.
Will attends the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he expects to graduate in May of 2025. He graduated magna cum laude from Arkansas State University with a degree in Economics. At the time, he was recognized as the outstanding senior graduate in the Pre-Law Economics program.
Will is a lifelong resident of Arkansas, hailing from the rural community of Corning. Here, Will gained years of agricultural experience while working on a local farm and participating in FFA. After graduation, Will hopes to continue his involvement with Arkansas’ agriculture industry and assist small-town farmers using his legal education.
Research Fellow
Donald "Jed" Satterley, B.S.
Jed is a law student at Southern University Law Center, where he is expecting to graduate in May 2026. He completed his undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University earning a B.S. in Agriculture and Extension Education. Before starting law school, he taught high school agriculture and worked for the Louisiana State Department of Agriculture in Forestry.
Jed’s dedication to agriculture stems from growing up in rural Melville, Louisiana, where his family has a history in farming and raising livestock. During high school he was extremely active in FFA, which lead to his desire to work in the agriculture industry. Upon graduating law school, he hopes to continue his work in agriculture by serving rural and small communities which are the backbone of American agriculture.
Research Fellow
Kenny Pierro, B.S.
Kenny is a second-year law student at Michigan State University College of Law, where he expects to graduate in May 2026. He graduated from Washington State University cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology.
During his undergraduate tenure, he worked with a group of scientists on the assembly and annotation of the WA-38 apple genome. He plans to build on this experience with a career in agricultural focus intellectual property law.
Research Fellow
Jeremy Garcia, B.S.
Jeremy is a student at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he expects to receive his J.D. in May 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Utah Tech University in 2019.
During his first year of law school, Jeremy served as a representative for the Wellness Society and was appointed secretary for the Environmental Law Society. He was also voted “most likely to make a judge laugh” by his classmates. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and hiking. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a Benefits Analyst in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Research Fellow
Jakob Christopherson, B.A.
Jakob attends Wake Forest University School of Law, where he expects to graduate in May 2026. He graduated from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2022.
His passion for agriculture stems from his upbringing on his family’s 6th generation corn and soybean farm located in Southwest Minnesota. After graduation, he hopes to work at the intersection of business and agricultural law.
Research Fellow
Royce "Dylan" Smith, B.S.
Dylan is a student at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he expects to receive his J.D. in May 2026. He previously received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Arkansas in 2020.
Dylan’s background is in biotechnology and leading guided backpacking trips through the Pike-San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. When he is not in class, Dylan can be found with his nose stuck in a book or out on his mountain bike.
Research Fellow
Mary Elizabeth Eichenberger, B.S.
Mary attends the University of Arkansas School of Law and expects to graduate in May of 2026. She attended the University of Arkansas where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business, and minors in legal studies and southern studies. As an undergraduate student, Mary researched and published a study on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States, further igniting her passion for agricultural law and policy. Additionally, she was an active member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau Club, student government senate, and served as a congressional intern for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, as well as the House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington, D.C.
While in law school, Mary has had the opportunity to serve as a law clerk for Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, and now currently serves as a staff editor for the Arkansas Journal of Food Law and Policy.
Mary is a native Arkansan, where she grew up on her family’s third-generation cow-calf operation in the Arkansas River Valley. She plans to pursue a career in agricultural and environmental law advocating for rural communities, farmers and ranchers, and underserved members of the agricultural community.
Research Fellow
Faiza Ali, B.S.
With an undergraduate degree in International Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University, Faiza has pursued her passion for advocating on behalf of underrepresented communities, from the rural South to her current legal studies at Wake Forest University School of Law where she graduates in May 2025. Faiza’s diverse legal experience spans special litigation with the North Carolina Department of Justice, an externship with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and internship with the New York City Law Department’s Tort Unit.
Her dedication to promoting ethical practices in the legal profession is unwavering, and she aims to focus her efforts on addressing heirs’ property issues affecting marginalized farmers. Faiza is committed to ensuring equitable legal support for those historically disenfranchised in matters of property ownership and land preservation.
Research Fellow
Taylor Harwood, B.S.
Taylor attends Lewis and Clark Law School, where he expects to graduate in May 2026. He graduated from UC-Santa Barbara in 2023 with degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science.
At Lewis and Clark, Taylor serves as the Secretary for the Student Bar Association and also works with incarcerated individuals at Oregon State Penitentiary. In his free time, Taylor enjoys backpacking, gravel biking, and running.
Research Fellow
Jason Roberson, B.S.
Jason Roberson is a second-year law student at the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he expects to graduate in December 2025. His law school involvement includes leadership as Vice President of the Animal Law Defense Fund and Chair of Internal Operations for the Trial Advocacy Board. Jason’s legal experience grew during his first summer break when he divided his time between roles as a Thompson Fellow at PepsiCo in Dallas and as a Summer Associate with Weil Gotshal Manges, LLP. In 2024, he enhanced his practical legal knowledge through participation in the university’s Low-Income Housing Clinic.
A fourth-generation farmer from Sturgis, Mississippi, Jason distinguished himself academically by graduating Magna Cum Laude from Morehouse College with dual bachelor’s degrees in communications studies and Sociology. This achievement earned him membership in the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. His college years were marked by significant leadership roles, including serving as the 86th Vice President of the Student Government Association, presiding over Morehouse College’s pioneering HBCU Polo Team, and holding the position of Events Director for the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Jason’s agricultural passion has deep roots in his upbringing. In his youth, he was an active Boy Scout, achieving the Eagle Scout rank as a high school freshman in 2015. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Jason enjoys traveling, running, and kayaking. After graduation, Jason plans to practice as a litigation attorney in agricultural and business law.
Research Fellow
Rodney Axson, B.A.
Rodney Axson Jr. is a third-year law student at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, where he expects to graduate in May 2026. Rodney was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rodney graduated from Presentation College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he interned for the United States Senate, where he worked in Education and Civil Rights. He also was a student-athlete (football).
At Knudson School of Law, Rodney is a member of the Agriculture Law Society and The Foundation of Natural Resources, serves as a research assistant for Professor Laura Rose, and competes on the Trial Team. Rodney is active in Agriculture Law as a student member of the American Agricultural Law Association, where he sits on the Student and Young Professionals Committee.
Rodney is an intern at Moulton Bellingham P.C. in Billings, MT, where he spent his 1L summer and is returning for his 2L summer. Upon graduation, Rodney plans to return to Montana to practice Natural Resources and Real Estate/Land Use Law.
Research Fellow
Emily Harris, B.S.
Emily Harris attends the University of Georgia School of Law and expects to graduate in May 2027. For her undergraduate degree, she also attended the University of Georgia where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Food Science in 2024. As an undergraduate student, she immersed herself in the many facets of agriculture through internships including food safety internship with Chick-fil-A, Fuit Pathology Research Assistant, as well as interning with the USDA Farm Service Agency. She was an active member in the Food Science Club, as well as an Ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UGA.
Her passion for agriculture stems from being raised on her family’s 4th generation cow-calf operation in Southwest Georgia. Upon graduating law school, she plans to pursue a career in food and agricultural law.
Research Fellow
Jake Studebaker, B.A.
Isaac (Jake) Studebaker is a first-year law student at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he expects to graduate in May of 2027. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Hillsdale College in 2022. While attending Hillsdale College, Jake served as President of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and as a member of the Student Leadership team for Greek InterVarsity Student Ministry.
Following graduation, Jake worked for one year as a Campus Staff Minister for Greek InterVarsity, before moving to Gardnerville, NV, where he worked as an equestrian facility groundskeeper, and later a butcher at the historic Park Ranch. Jake hopes to specialize in land-use law to help rural Arkansas farmers near his hometown in central Arkansas.
Communications Specialist
Tru Joi Curtis
Tru Joi Curtis is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Agricultural Communications with a minor in English. She hopes to continue her educational journey by receiving her master’s degree and eventually a Ph.D.
Tru Joi lives on a small family farm with her mom, grandfather, and over 100 animals. She graduated in the top 5 of the class of 2022 from Westville High School with various honors. She was very active in FFA, competing at the national level in Parliamentary Procedures, receiving her Oklahoma FFA State Degree, and FFA American Degree. She had the honor of being a media room intern at the 2023 Arkansas FFA Convention and working as the Copy Editor for AR Culture magazine. Tru Joi is also serving as the Member Relations Coordinator for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and is a member of FFA Alumni and Supporters at the University of Arkansas.