About Us
Firm Overview
Our Farming Background
Our National Recognition
Our Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles
Contact Our Law Firm Today
Our Attorneys
David C. Barrett, Jr.
Partner
Carolyn D. Eselgroth
Partner
Troy A. Callicoat
Partner
G. Eli Earich
Associate
David C. Barrett, Jr.
Partner
David, one of the founding partners of the firm, grew up on his family’s livestock and grain farm in Washington County, Ohio. His early involvement in farming, along with his participation in 4-H and FFA activities, forged his commitment to agriculture that has carried over into the practice of law.
In addition to David’s private practice experience working with agricultural producers and agribusinesses, he served for over 10 years as in-house legal counsel and national secretary for the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in Washington, DC. While he advised the NGFA on a broad range of legal, legislative and regulatory issues, David also had oversight of the NGFA Trade Rules and administered the industry’s arbitration system. During that time he also successfully completed the London (England)-based Grain and Feed Trade Association’s Gafta Trade Foundation Course on international grain contracts and arbitration at Churchill College, Cambridge, United Kingdom. David is a frequent speaker on agricultural contract and business legal issues at industry meetings throughout the U.S. He is also a multi-year recipient of the “Ohio Super Lawyer” designation from Law & Politics Magazine and was recognized as a “Top Lawyer” by Columbus CEO Magazine.
When he is not practicing law, David spends time with his active family. David also is an active member of the Knights of Columbus and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Parish, Bismarck, North Dakota.
- Administrative Law
- Arbitration
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural Cooperatives
- Business and Corporate Law
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Contracts
- Commodity Law
- Commodity Technology License Disputes
- Employment Law
- Food/Feed Safety
- Government Regulation
- Livestock
- Mediation/Dispute Resolution
- Real Estate Law
- Trade Associations
- Transportation
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Ohio, 1981;
- District of Columbia, 1990;
- North Dakota, 2018;
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1982;
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1988;
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2000;
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2013;
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2004;
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2017;
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2007;
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2009;
- U.S. District Court District of North Dakota, 2015;
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2011;
- U.S. Tax Court, 1983;
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2015;
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1984;
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2019;
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2020;
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
- University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio, 1981 J.D.
- Honors: Cum Laude
- Honors: Six American Jurisprudence Awards
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio June, 1978 B.S. in Agriculture
- Honors: Agricultural Economics
- Arbitrating Agricultural Disputes: The National Grain and Feed Association’s Experience, 68 North Dakota Law Review 539, 1992
- Hedge-to-Arrive Contracts, 2 Drake Journal of Agricultural Law 153, 1997
- Agricultural Law Update, Ohio CLE Institute, 2001
- Agricultural Law Update, Ohio CLE Institute, 2002
- Farmers Crop Ins. Alliance v. Laux, 442 F. Supp. 2d 488 (S.D. Ohio 2006)
- Farmers Crop Ins. Alliance v. Laux, 422 F. Supp. 2d 898 (S.D. Ohio 2006)
- In re Wakehill Farms, 123 B.R. 774 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1990)
- In re Miller, 106 B.R. 136 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1989)
- In re Miller, 98 B.R. 311 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1989)
- Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.(Fayette, Iowa) vs. Paul Regan, Maury Regan and Mike Regan(d.b.a Regan Farms) Arbitration Case #2352 (2009)
- Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.(Cincinnati Ohio) vs. Christopher Huff, Arbitration Case #2373 (2009)
- Ohio State Bar Association
- July 1, 2005 -June 30, 2008 Chair, Agricultural Law Committee
- 2017-Present, Council of Delegates
- American Agricultural Law Association, 1982 – Present
- Federal Bar Association
- OSBA Council of Delegates 2017-2021
- North Dakota Supreme Court Attorney Standards Committee 2024 - Present
- Legal, Tax & Accounting Committee, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, 2017 – Present
- Arbitrator for U.S. Surface Transportation Board, 2022
- Arbitrator - Surface Transportation Board 2022 - Present
- Affiliated Faculty, Agricultural Law Professor, University of North Dakota 2025
Carolyn D. Eselgroth
Partner
Carolyn Eselgroth has practiced law for more than 20 years, assisting with governance, contractual needs, and mergers and acquisitions of agricultural cooperatives, agricultural trade associations, check-off organizations, non-profit organizations, and a variety of farm and other businesses. She also works with landowners on real property leases, purchases, and sales.
A native of Ross County, Ohio, Carolyn grew up doing chores at the family dairy farm and participating in 4-H. Prior to her legal career, she was an associate editor of Ohio Farmer magazine and served on the board of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association. During law school, Carolyn interned with the USDA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C.
Carolyn is a member of the Ohio State and Columbus bar associations. She currently serves on the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board and the Congregation Council of All Saints Lutheran Church.
- Agricultural Cooperatives Non-Profit Organizations ƒGovernance
- Agricultural Cooperative Mergers and Acquisitions
- Commercial and Farm Real Estate Transactions and Leases
- Contracts
- Employment Law
- Estate Planning
- Farm/Agribusiness/Agricultural Law
- Family Business Organization, Reorganization, and Dissolution
- Non-Profit Agricultural and Charitable Group Exempt Organization Compliance and Contracts
- Probate & Estate Administration
- Trade Associations
- Trust Administration
- Ohio, 1992
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1992
- The Ohio State University College of Law, 1992, J.D.
- Graduated with Honors
- The Ohio State University College of Agriculture, 1980, B.S. in Agriculture
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude With Distinction in Dairy Science
Troy A. Callicoat
Partner
Troy was raised on his family’s farm in Clark County, Ohio, where he was involved in raising beef cattle. Throughout his youth, he was active in both 4-H and FFA and exhibited cattle at the Clark County Fair.
Troy graduated from The Ohio State University, Cum Laude, in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business and Applied Economics. Immediately after college, Troy attended Capital University Law School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2003. During law school, Troy was a member of the school’s law review and also clerked for several area law firms in Columbus.
Prior to joining BECE in August 2004, Troy worked as an attorney at Zeiger & Carpenter in Columbus, Ohio. Troy’s primary practice is litigation and arbitration. He has experience litigating a variety of matters including contract and general business disputes, ditch petitions, real estate appropriation actions, and various other agricultural related issues. Troy was chairman of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Agricultural Law Committee from 2012 through 2014.
When he is not practicing law, Troy enjoys running and has completed several Half-Marathons around the state of Ohio, spending time with his wife, Natalie, and attending as many Ohio State football and basketball games as possible.
- Agricultural Law
- Arbitration
- Environmental Law
- Civil Litigation
- Commodities
- Contracts
- Mediation/Dispute Resolution
- Probate and Trust Litigation
- Real Estate Law
- Transactional Law
- Transportation
- Ohio, 2003
- Michigan, 2021
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 2004
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2010
- U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit, 2015
- U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit, 2017
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2017
- Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio, 2003 J.D.
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Honors: Order of the Curia
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2000 B.S. in Agribusiness and Applied Economics
- Ohio State Bar Association,
- Agricultural Law Committee Chair, 2012 – 2014
- Columbus Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Ohio Agricultural Council
- Ohio Farm Bureau
G. Eli Earich
Associate
Eli Earich grew up in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he spent his childhood exhibiting beef cattle in both 4-H and FFA. As a fifth-generation cattle producer, he is still heavily involved in his family’s Angus cow/calf operation.
Eli graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics. As an undergraduate, he was actively involved in Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and Block and Bridle club. Prior to beginning law school, he gained valuable experience in the grain industry working full time as a commodity merchandiser for Archer Daniels Midland in Des Moines, IA.
In 2021, he earned his Juris Doctor degree at Capital University Law School. During law school, he worked as a research fellow for the National Agricultural Law Center and spent time in Washington D.C. as a Public Policy Law Clerk for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Eli strives to give back to agriculture through his involvement with various trade groups and industry associations.
- Agricultural Law
- Arbitration
- Business Law
- Civil Litigation
- Administrative Law and Government Regulation
- Agritourism Law
- Agricultural Trade Associations
- Energy Law
- Commodity Law
- Contract Law
- Real Estate Law
- Ohio, 2021
- Indiana, 2022
- U.S. District Court District of North Dakota, 2022
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 2022
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2023
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2023
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2023
- Capital University Law School, 2021 J.D.
- Honors: Cum Laude
- University of Kentucky, 2016 B.S. in Agricultural Economics
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity
- National Grain and Feed Association, Committee Apprentice Program, 2023-2024
- Agricultural Law Committee, Vice President | Ohio State Bar Association | 2021 – Present
- Rural Practice Gap Task Force, Member & Sub-Committee Co-Chair | Ohio State Bar Association | 2023 – 2024
- Rural Practice Gap Advisory Council Member | Ohio State Bar Association | 2024 – Present
- Agricultural Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee Member | National Grain and Feed Association | 2024 – Present
- Agricultural Committee Member | Pickaway Progress Partnership (Pickaway County, OH) | 2025 – Present
Emily J. Cunningham
Associate
Michael J. Whitney
Associate
Jeffrey A. Easterday
Of-Counsel
Emily J. Cunningham
Associate
Emily J. Cunningham grew up in Delaware County, Ohio, where she spent her childhood participating in her local 4-H club. She graduated from The Ohio State University, summa cum laude, in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. Immediately after college, Emily attended Case Western Reserve University School of Law where she graduated summa cum laude in 2019.
During law school, Emily served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. of the Southern District of Ohio and worked in Case Western Reserve University’s Intellectual Property Venture Clinic. While working in the clinic, Emily assisted pro bono clients with trademark clearance and patent prosecution, business formation, and business management issues. Emily also served as the executive symposium editor of the Case Western Reverse University Law Review and organized an in-person symposium and print issue of the Law Review discussing concerns with traditional shareholder wealth maximization and modern shareholder environmental and social activism.
Prior to joining BECE in September 2022, Emily worked as an attorney at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP in Columbus, Ohio. Emily’s primary practice is business growth and operation. Emily often prepares and analyzes contracts, drafts corporate operating agreements and resolutions, and assists with mergers and acquisitions. Emily also has experience preparing real estate transfer documents and technology agreements, such as terms-of-use and privacy policies.
- Contracts
- Business Planning
- Ohio, 2019
- Case Western University School of Law, 2019, J.D.
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- The Ohio State University, 2016, B.A. in History
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- Justice on the Merits: An Analysis of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, 69 Case W. Rsrv. L. Rev. 427 (2018) Available here.
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Christian Legal Society (Board Member, Central Ohio chapter)
Michael J. Whitney
Associate
Michael Whitney grew up in Lorain County, Ohio, where he spent his youth raising and showing market hogs in 4-H, as well as working at his family’s hog farm.
Michael graduated from The Ohio State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business and Applied Economics. Immediately after college, Michael attended the University of Akron School of Law, where he graduated in 2016.
Prior to joining BECE in April of 2024, Michael had been piling up valuable real estate experience by working as an attorney for Talon Title Agency in Columbus for the past 6 years. When he wasn’t working on matters for the title agency, he focused his practice on estate planning and probate administration. Michael’s primary interests are serving people from rural communities like the one he grew up in and counseling people through the probate process after the loss of a loved one.
When Michael is not practicing law, he enjoys playing golf, hunting, enjoying live music and traveling with his wife.
- Contract Law
- Real Estate
- Probate
- Ohio, 2017
- The Ohio State University, 2013 B.S. in Agribusiness and Applied Economics
- University of Akron School of Law, 2016
Jeffrey A. Easterday
Of-Counsel
Jeff Easterday, a founding partner of Barrett, Easterday, Cunningham & Eselgroth LLP, is a native of Delaware, Ohio. He majored in Agricultural Economics at The Ohio State University, graduating cum laude in 1976. He received his law degree from Capital University in 1983. Jeff worked in agricultural lending for 14 years with the Farm Credit system, serving as branch manager, special accounts officer, and as an appraiser. Jeff has practiced law, serving land owners, agricultural producers, businesses and agribusinesses, and individuals, for more than 20 years.
Jeff’s areas of practice include real estate, contracts, will and estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate, gift and income tax for individuals, fiduciaries and business entities, and business formation and operation. Jeff has also worked in business and trust litigation including serving as lead trial attorney.
He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, a member of the OSBA Agricultural Law committee. He has served as chairman of the legislative subcommittee and testified before Ohio congressional committees. He is a member and past President of the Delaware County Bar Association. Jeff has served as an educator for the Ohio State Income Tax School, the OSBA Agricultural Law Symposium, and as a presenter for various seminars, workshops and meetings. Jeff holds an Ohio certified general appraisal license. He has been active in a variety of community, charitable, and church activities in a variety of roles. As a youth, Jeff was active in FFA, participated in music and sports activities, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and operated a small crop and swine farming operation with his brothers.
Jeff and his wife enjoy travel, including visits to her family in Mexico (Jeff is trying to learn Spanish).
Retired Council
Our Support Staff
Legal Assistant & Office Administrator
Paralegal
Receptionist & Legal Administrative Assistant
In Memoriam
Russell graduated from The Ohio State University Summa Cum Laude 1986, Case Western Reserve University School of Law Summa Cum Laude 1989, Partner Barrett, Easterday, Cunningham, and Eselgroth LLP.
He is survived by a family who admired and loved him deeply - wife Lisa and daughters Emily, Margaret (Maggie) (fiancé Gideon) and Betsy; father Clarence J. Cunningham; brother Larry (JoAnne) Cunningham and their children and spouses; and in-laws from the Dentler family.
