Mary Westman is an Oklahoma attorney, horse owner and breeder and registered nurse with an MBA. Ms. Westman earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law graduating with honors as a merit scholar and in the top 5% of her class. Additionally, Ms. Westman associates with Perri Dunn PLLC in Oklahoma City in the areas of agricultural and equine transactional law. She is an active member of the Oklahoma and American Bar Associations, American Bar Association Animal Law Committee and Equine Law Sub-Committee, Oklahoma County Bar Association, American Morgan Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, United States Equestrian Federation, both the Oklahoma and American Horse Councils, and American Agricultural Law Association. Ms. Westman is an adjunct professor at the Oklahoma City University School of Law and frequently writes equine law related articles for the OklahomaHorses Magazine. A native of West Virginia, she now lives with her husband, David, in Norman, Oklahoma. To reach Ms. Westman, please visit the Perri Dunn PLLC website.
On February 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a comprehensive $1 billion strategy to combat the ongoing avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, aiming to protect the poultry industry and reduce soaring egg prices. … More USDA Launches $1 Billion Plan to Fight Avian Flu & Lower Egg Prices
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has extended the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting deadline by 30 days, moving the new deadline to March 21, 2025, for most businesses. This requirement, part of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), applies to most businesses, including those in the agriculture and equine industries. … More ALERT: Updated Deadline for Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Filing with FinCEN
In a significant ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the court upheld a $210,000 fine imposed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) against Jason Fabrizius and Fabrizius Livestock LLC, a Colorado-based horse dealer. The case revolved around violations of federal livestock transportation regulations, including failure to obtain required documentation when transporting horses across state lines. … More Appeals Court Upholds $210K Fine Against Horse Dealer for Interstate Transport Violations
As the 2025 legislative session progresses, a growing number of states are introducing bills that limit the liability of pesticide manufacturers in cases involving failure-to-warn claims. This trend is largely driven by ongoing litigation concerning the herbicide glyphosate and allegations that exposure to certain pesticides has led to health issues, including cancer. … More Trend of Pesticide Liability Limitation Legislation and Oklahoma’s Proposed HB 1755
The Oklahoma Agrivoltaics Act, introduced as House Bill 2157, is a forward-thinking legislative effort aimed at integrating renewable energy projects with agricultural practices. Recognizing the increasing demand for electrical generation capacity and the expansion of renewable energy projects, the Oklahoma Legislature seeks to promote agrivoltaics—the dual use of land for both agriculture and solar energy production. … More Oklahoma Agrivoltaics Act: A New Era for Renewable Energy and Agriculture
Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 776, known as Julie’s Law, introduces and seeks significant changes to the state’s livestock and equine liability limitation laws. Set to take effect on November 1, 2025, this new legislation would enact key updates designed to enhance safety and clarify liability. Here’s some of what you need to know. … More Proposed Legislation Alert: Oklahoma Senator Pushes for Major Changes to Livestock Liability Limitation Laws
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacates key provisions of USDA’s 2024 HPA amended rule which aimed to enhance enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA). … More Galloping into Legal Battle: Northern District of Texas Reins in USDA Overreach in Tennessee Walking Horse Case
According to a recent article on feedstuffs.com , U.S. egg farmers, led by the United Egg Producers (UEP), are convening on Capitol Hill to advocate for immediate and decisive action. Since the onset of the current HPAI outbreak in 2022, the industry has suffered the loss of approximately 117 million egg-laying hens, with nearly 20 million birds lost in 2025 alone. … More Egg Producers Head to Capitol Hill
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed establishing the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) as a national, voluntary program to enhance the health status of U.S. swine herds and opens comment period. … More Proposed Rules Establishing the US Swine Health Improvement Plan: Oklahoma Stakeholders Encouraged to Submit Comments
The American Horse Council (AHC) has formally requested that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) delay the implementation of the revised Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations, currently set for February 1, 2025, by 60 days. … More American Horse Council (AHC) urges delay in implementation of Horse Protection Act changes.