Celebrating Black Leaders Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Media Law

Black History Month has origins from a campaign predating the civil rights movement to celebrate Black experiences and achievement, educate people about Black history and foster common ground among different races. In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson and other Black Americans established Negro History Week and situated it in February to dovetail with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, President Gerald Ford designated February Black History Month, recognizing its seminal place in the American story. Black History Month remains an opportunity to reflect on the challenges Black communities face and advocate for positive change. In the present day, Black leaders are assuming leadership roles to help others, invigorate their communities and strengthen their profession.  

Brandon Davis emerged as a leader in the agriculture industry. He has used his niche immigration practice to guide farmers, agricultural organizations and agribusiness companies through varied regulatory labor crises that have plagued the domestic and international food supply chain as well as the relationships between labor and management. Brandon developed skills in corporate and employment-based immigration law early in his career as New Orleans experienced a workforce shortage after Hurricane Katrina. His multifaceted practice has allowed him to deliver solutions to international employees and global entrepreneurs while also supporting the international employment needs of various industries including agribusiness, where many of his clients work. To keep abreast on issues facing clients, Brandon joined the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) and quickly moved up the leadership ladder. He is the AALA’s President-Elect. He coordinates with a national group of lawyers who practice corporate, regulatory, litigation, labor, and employment law, and are policymakers in the agricultural industry. AALA membership benefits from Brandon’s understanding of the pragmatic, economic, operational and logistical facets of contemporary farming within the global landscape that concerns agricultural employers. Raised in rural Louisiana, he spent a significant portion of his childhood on his grandparents’ farm and participated in youth farming initiatives.

Ashley Heilprin is a leader among the next generation of media lawyers. An advocate for press freedom and access, she has experience in defending media outlets in alleged breach of online advertising contracts and litigating anti-SLAPP motions on behalf of news media defendants. She also defends music labels in copyright infringement cases. To broaden her reach and share best practices with other attorneys, Ashley joined the Media Law Resource Center (MLRC). She co-chairs the Center’s nascent Diverse Voices Committee that focuses on issues and topics to journalists who represent or report on underserved communities. Among its goals, the Committee is focused on creating seminars and other resources on legal issues affecting diverse communities and including diverse voices within MLRC’s membership by identifying people, organizations and publications that work with underserved communities. 

During Black History Month, we commend Brandon and Ashley for leading and undertaking new challenges in service to others. We thank them for their effort and time and for serving as role models for new leaders to follow.

“They are bringing diverse perspectives and voices to their roles that will enable them to meet the needs of clients and their profession,” said LaToya Merritt, chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “I am ecstatic to see them in leadership positions steering the course for the future while inviting further collaboration with others.”