Miller, L. Edward

Lawrence H. Meuers is an innovative and pragmatic legal strategist. He is an original thinker, a creative problem solver and a resourceful negotiator. Whether in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, or drafting a contract to protect his client’s rights, Larry is able to draw on his years of legal expertise, along with his personal working knowledge of the produce industry to analyze the issues and propose productive, realistic and cost-effective strategies. He is constantly striving to increase his understanding of the fine distinctions of law that affect his clients, often setting legal precedent or breaking new ground for the produce industry. Larry is a tireless advocate for his clients and for the legal concerns of the entire industry. He is respectful of the law and passionate about his profession and the produce community he serves. He prides himself on client service and satisfaction, and is proud to note that many of his clients have been with the firm for two decades. Larry has achieved a legal ability rating of "A" (very high to preeminent) and a general ethical standards rating of "V," the highest possible ratings by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Larry is also the editor of, and a monthly contributor to the firm’s newsletter, “Produce and the Law,” which publishes weekly articles of important legal information and items of interest to members of the produce community, under the headline, “The PACA Law Perspective.”

Larry provides advice and guidance on the day-to-day legal challenges facing produce companies. His counsel is sought to clarify PACA and other laws, including those related to food safety, importing produce, transporting produce and specialized contract provisions. Larry analyzes business agreements, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and outlines potential risks. Larry reviews and drafts contracts pertaining to all aspects of the produce distribution chain from grower agreements, to transportation contracts, to retail supply agreements. He drafts contracts in plain English that clearly set forth the rights and obligations of each party.

Larry has litigated some of the most complex and high-value disputes in the history of the produce industry. He regularly represents produce businesses in civil litigation in state and federal courts, bankruptcy courts and before the USDA. He defends producers, distributors and transportation companies that have become the target of preference actions in bankruptcy, and represents produce businesses that face responsibly connected, misbranding or disciplinary actions when they have become the target of complaints alleging PACA violations. In addition, Larry conducts workshops, training and educational seminars, lecturing on the application of PACA and other laws as they pertain to his clients’ business operations.

Larry is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, and has lived in Naples, Florida, for 20 years. He enjoys spending time with his fiancé and two teen-age children. To maintain his Minnesota roots, Larry often visits family and friends, and is an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.