A former Brownstown resident recently assumed the role of president of the American Agricultural Law Association during the association’s 37th annual Agricultural Law Symposium conducted from Oct. 6 to 8 in Oklahoma City.

Justin Schneider also is director of state government relations for Indiana Farm Bureau.

The association is a national membership association of agricultural law professionals from across the United States focusing on the legal needs of the agricultural community. It offers an independent, nonpartisan forum that brings together diverse viewpoints to provide information to resolve agricultural law problems.

“The national network that I’ve met through AALA has been invaluable to me both professionally and personally,” Schneider said. “As president, I want to make sure we focus on providing that same kind of value to our members. There are some great things happening within AALA, and I am excited to be a part of growing and strengthening our organization.”

Schneider, who graduated from Brownstown Central High School in 1994, lives in Columbus with his wife and two sons.

Schneider received his undergraduate degree in agribusiness management from Purdue University and his law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington.

As director of Indiana Farm Bureau’s state government relations, he oversees the organization’s regulatory and legislative advocacy efforts at the state level.

Indiana Farm Bureau is a general farm organization and an advocate for farmers. Since 1919, the organization has work to protect the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers.

Prior to assuming the presidency, Schneider served as the association’s symposium presenter, was a member of its programming committee and board of directors and organized the 2016 Agricultural Law Symposium.

Before joining Indiana Farm Bureau as a staff lawyer in 2005, he was a judicial law clerk at the Indiana Court of Appeals.