Laura Bentele focuses her practice on complex commercial disputes and consumer products-focused class action litigation. She is also a co-founder and leader of the firm’s Agribusiness and Food team.

Laura defends advertising companies, multi-state consumer product manufacturers, distributors and retailers, regional utility companies, transportation companies, financial institutions and mining companies in state and federal courts around the country. She has successfully tried cases to verdict for both plaintiffs and defendants before juries in state and federal courts. However, if there is an expeditious opportunity to end a dispute early through aggressive motion practice or strategically timed recourse to alternative dispute resolution proceedings, clients rely on Laura’s skills to get them on the quickest path to meet their litigation objectives. 

Laura also counsels clients concerning regulations impacting agricultural industries, food safety and consumer fraud issues, including matters involving labeling claims, sanitary transportation, product contamination and defective products. In helping food, beverage, animal food and consumer products clients navigate compliance issues, Laura’s approach to risk management is significantly informed by her work as a litigator. When clients are confronted with enforcement actions, recalls or lawsuits initiated by consumers or competitors, Laura moves quickly to implement an initial response.

With respect to both her work as a business litigator and regulatory counsel, clients appreciate Laura’s ability to anticipate their practical business concerns. Ultimately, she strives to maintain open avenues of communication to ensure that clients receive representation  tailored to their needs and goals.