Case Study: Open Range Beef

By Jason Foscolo, Food & Beverage Attorney — Founder, Foscolo & Diefenbach PLLC (The Food Law Firm). Former USMC JAG; LL.M. in Agricultural & Food Law (University of Arkansas).
Engagement attorney on this matter. Last reviewed: June 2026.

• 20% lower legal spend compared to hourly outside firms.
• A fixed-price supplier “trap” caught and defused during renegotiation with the company’s largest supplier — preserving pricing flexibility, protecting margins, and safeguarding its most critical customer relationship.
• Contract reviews and urgent answers delivered within hours, eliminating the need for outside counsel during a period of rapid expansion.
• Significantly reduced contract-related risk and stronger vendor relationships across supplier, USDA, and acquisition work handled simultaneously.

“It felt like you were part of our internal leadership team.”
— Marc Broccoli, CEO, Open Range Beef

Expanding fast, Open Range Beef turned to The Food Law Firm for immediate, industry-savvy legal counsel—and got a partner at the leadership table rather than a vendor at arm’s length.

Open Range Beef, one of the largest organic, grass-fed beef suppliers and processors in the United States, was expanding rapidly. The company faced complex supplier agreements, USDA requirements, and the acquisition of a major processing facility in New York—all at the same time. It needed immediate guidance on contract reviews and risk management so deals could progress smoothly, without delays.

Our Approach

We joined Open Range Beef’s leadership team as outside general counsel through our GC-as-a-Service subscription.

• Integrated seamlessly with executives to provide day-to-day counsel.
• Reviewed and negotiated supplier contracts, labor issues, and trademarks.
• Delivered contract reviews and urgent answers within hours, eliminating the need for outside counsel.

During renegotiation with Open Range Beef’s largest supplier, we identified an attempted fixed-price trap that would have locked the company into a year-long beef supply at unfavorable terms. Our swift analysis preserved pricing flexibility, protected margins, and safeguarded Open Range Beef’s most critical customer relationship. Much of this engagement turned on the kind of work covered on our food supplier agreements and co-packer agreements service pages.

• 20% lower legal spend compared to hourly outside firms.
• Immediate access to seasoned food-industry counsel.
• Significantly reduced contract-related risk and stronger vendor relationships.

“If you’re a food company leader, you should hire this team because they deliver fast, practical legal solutions tailored to the unique demands of the food industry.”
— Marc Broccoli, CEO, Open Range Beef

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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This case study describes one specific engagement and is provided for illustration only.

Jason Foscolo Founder of The Food Law Firm — fractional general counsel for food & beverage businesses nationwide.