<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Michael is not practicing law, he enjoys playing golf, hunting, enjoying live music and traveling with his wife. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jeff and his wife enjoy travel, including visits to her family in Mexico (Jeff is trying to learn Spanish).</span></p>
