GMA Keeps Their Promise And Files Suit Against Vermont

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by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

As detailed in our May 9, 2014 blog entitled, GMA To File Suit Against Vermont To Eliminate New GMO Label Law, the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association (GMA) previously announced plans to sue the state of Vermont over the passage of its GMO Label Law.  Well today June 12, 2014, the GMA kept their promise and filed suit in the United States District Court For The District of Vermont.  The suit names as defendants William H. Sorrell as Attorney General of Vermont, Peter E. Shumlin as Governor of Vermont, Harry L. Chen as Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health and James B. Reardon as Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Finance and Management.

The suit claims, among other things, that Vermont’s GMO Label Law violates free speech and due process guaranteed by the first and fifth amendments.  Vermont legislators maintain that they anticipated a legal challenge to the law and accordingly drafted it with great care to withstand any suit.

The outcome of this lawsuit will be watched closely, as same will significantly shape the future of the food industry in America.  However, do not expect the first decision in this matter to be the last, as a lengthy appeals process is all but certain regardless of this court’s decision.   Perhaps our Judicial Branch will pick up the GMO ball intentionally dropped by our Executive Branch and properly dispose of it once and for all.

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Paul A. Lauto, Esq. completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY at Stony Brook in 1987, with a major in political science and a double minor in socio-legal studies and moral-legal issues in philosophy. Mr. Lauto received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990 and was admitted in 1991 to practice in the courts of New York State, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States District Court.

Mr. Lauto has primarily focused on personal injury throughout his career and previously worked as in-house counsel to a major insurance company. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC, with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases, Wills, Trusts and Estates and more. Paul is the sole author of his Scales of Justice blog, which provides updates and information about current legal stories in the news and how they may affect our lives. Mr. Lauto prides himself on providing clients maximum results, with a high level of personal attorney service and attention that is uncommon in the profession. For more information please visit http://www.liattorney.com