Professor Pifer elected to American Agricultural Law Association board

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Ross H. Pifer, clinical professor of law at Penn State Law, has been elected to the American Agricultural Law Association board of directors.

At Penn State Law, he serves as director of the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, which conducts legal research and educational projects for agricultural stakeholders. He also founded and currently serves as director of the Rural Economic Development Clinic at Penn State Law to provide law students with experience serving agricultural and rural clients.

Pifer teaches Agricultural Law, Oil and Gas Law, Property, and Law and Policy of Shale Gas Development. He has written on a variety of agricultural law topics and has presented to audiences at the national and international levels. He has been a member of AALA since 2004 and has served as a member of the Awards Committee.

Born on a dairy farm in western Pennsylvania, Pifer received his bachelor of science in agricultural business management from Penn State, his juris doctor from The Dickinson School of Law, and his master of laws in agricultural law from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Prior to joining the faculty of Penn State Law, Pifer was an attorney-adviser for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of General Counsel in its Harrisburg field office. He also has private legal experience as well as business experience as a territory manager with the Nutrena Feeds Division of Cargill.

Pifer served on active duty with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in support of the NATO Regional Headquarters, Allied Forces Central Europe where he provided advice and representation to U.S. military personnel and commands in Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Established in 1980, the American Agricultural Law Association is a national professional association serving as the premier association for agricultural law and policy professionals. Its mission is informing and engaging the law and policy professionals who serve all facets of the agricultural and food communities.