Food and Agricultural Commercial Litigator Returns to Thompson Coburn as Partner in St. Louis

Thompson Coburn announced today that Kimberly Bousquet has rejoined the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group in St. Louis. Bousquet originally joined Thompson Coburn as an associate and was later promoted to partner, working at the firm for 16 years.

A skilled litigator with more than 20 years of experience, Bousquet will draw on her background in science and environmental law to provide strategic compliance counsel to clients in the food and beverage and agriculture sectors.

In her practice, Bousquet provides risk analysis, regulatory advice and litigation support to companies in the food and beverage, agriculture, agribusiness, biotechnology and manufacturing sectors on issues related to labeling, advertising and compliance. She has extensive experience with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Food Safety Modernization Act; the Federal Trade Commission Act; and laws enforced by the USDA. She has defended companies against claims of false and misleading product labels and advertising, herbicide drift and crop damage claims, foodborne illnesses, and breach of contract. She is also highly experienced in complex e-discovery matters, having overseen all aspects of e-discovery in complex multi-district litigation. Bousquet rejoins the firm from Davis Wright Tremaine.

“It’s a pleasure to reunite with my colleagues and friends at Thompson Coburn,” Bousquet said. “The firm’s agriculture and agribusiness practices are nationally renowned, and I look forward to hitting the ground running to serve our clients.”

Bousquet’s interest in agriculture and food law is deeply rooted. A native of rural Missouri, she earned degrees in biology, environmental studies and food and agriculture law, and she applies this passion for life and earth sciences to her legal practice. During her career, Bousquet has been a key member of defense teams working on ground-breaking litigation related to the release of genetically engineered plants. She also regularly counsels clients on compliance regarding the mandatory elements on food labels, health benefit-related and nutrient claims on food and dietary supplements, environmental marketing claims, PFAS, Prop. 65 disclosures, language on restaurant menus, state-level compliance related to hemp cannabinoid (CBD) products and pet supplement labeling, among numerous other areas.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kim back to the firm,” said Thompson Coburn partner Chris Hohn, co-chair of the firm’s Litigation department and incoming firm chair. “I admire the depth of her knowledge of scientific, agricultural, and food and beverage-related issues, not to mention her prowess as a litigator. I know she will be an immediate value-add to our clients.”

Bousquet earned her J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law and holds an LL.M. in food and agricultural law from the University of Arkansas. Additionally, she has an M.S. in environmental studies (also from University of Oregon) and a B.S. in biology from Drury University.