The University of Chicago Law School SALDF hosted Animal Law Week, a weeklong symposium of events that featured more than a dozen speakers from different organizations.

You've been a tremendous voice for animals in 2008 - from supporting ALDF's work with generous donations to taking action on cases that needed urgent attention. Because of you, more animals have been saved and more cutting-edge laws put in place to protect them. Your actions have made a world of difference for our clients - the animals!

Celebrate ALDF's cutting-edge efforts for cats in 2008.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Releases Annual Report Ranking Animal Cruelty Laws Across the Nation

This report - the only one of its kind in the nation - ranks the animal protection laws of every state based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness.

The New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Animals and the Law has a new Mentor Program and is looking for law students who wish to participate.

Joining the Animal Law Committee within the Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the ABA is a fantastic opportunity for all Student Animal Legal Defense Fund members and law students.

Founded just last spring, Charleston School of Law SALDF has already celebrated some early successes.

Kerry Patton’s article entitled, "Justice for Animals: The State of the Law in Connecticut," appears in the most recent issue of Connecticut Lawyer.

Historic Election Day Victory for Millions of Animals

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and Center for Animal Law Studies present 16th annual gathering of legal luminaries, academics, and authors whose careers have gone to the dogs.

Panels include: Lessons Learned from the Vick Dogs, Persons or Property? The Ideal Status of Animals, and more!

There are countless avenues by which people are prompted to give more consideration to non-human animals. For Robert Knaier, it was philosophy.

Sherman v. Kissinger Ends With a Victory

ALDF addresses caucus supporting Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act

Alexis Fox & Andrew Brighten, ALDF's 2008 summer law clerks, share their experiences as clerks and some advise for other law students.

You'd think a busy attorney would be satisfied that her standard work load and untold pro bono hours were enough. Not Nicole Roth.

For Gabriela Sandoval, nothing is more important than helping those in need. And as part of ALDF's volunteer attorney network, she is putting her skills to work.

ALDF's message to legislators centered on the importance of laws aimed at reducing the enormous costs involved in caring for abused animals.

A majority of states guarantee you the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement as part of a criminal case against someone who injured or killed your companion animal. Learn what to include when writing one and how a Victim Impact Statement may affect your case.

It is still uncommon for animal cruelty investigators to serve as expert witnesses, but if you or someone in your agency has the right combination of education, experience, and training, you may qualify as an expert witness.

This educational guide for animal activists includes information about basic legal principles applicable with respect to activism, planning a demonstration, civil disobedience, interacting with police, and an Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act summary.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapters are student groups that are affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and share its mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

Pamela Hart is an attorney and director of the Animal Law Program at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In this capacity, she oversees programs dedicated to facilitating and fostering the development of animal law in academia and legal practice.

Stephen Wells is the executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Prior to becoming executive director in January, 2006, Stephen served as the director of ALDF’s successful Animal Law Program which he founded in 2000.

As one of the visionaries who co-founded the Animal Legal Defense Fund over thirty years ago, California attorney Joyce Tischler has helped shape the emerging field of animal law and now serves as ALDF's general counsel.

Scott has been a prosecutor for seventeen years, serving the last eight years as the elected district attorney in Benton County, Oregon. Joining ALDF's team in 2007, he now serves as the senior staff attorney in our Criminal Justice Program.

Law students interested in this cutting-edge field must be inventive and proactive in seeking out opportunities to become involved. Here are some suggestions for getting involved in animal law.

ALDF's New Study Ranks Provinces and Territories on Laws Protecting Animals - Ontario Ranks Worst, Manitoba Takes Top Honors in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s First-of-its-Kind Report

Epidemic of Horse Neglect Cases Plague State Where Animal Protection Laws Rank Last in the Nation

New Law Will Criminalize Organized Dogfighting, Allow Prosecutors to Charge Abusers Under RICO Laws

As attitudes have evolved during the past 20 years, animal law practice and education have steadily increased, and they continue to gain ground.

ALDF Applauds Oregon Lawmakers for Passing S.B. 1072

Elisabeth Custalow recently won the inaugural Pet JD animal law writing competition for her article, "Protecting Virginia’s Animals: What Treatment Is Required by Virginia Law of Animals in the Commonwealth?"

SB 26 Criminalizes Organized Dogfighting

The Rutgers University School of Law–Camden Student Animal Legal Defense Fund organized a Blanket Drive for the shelter, encouraging the law school community to bring their old sheets, towels, quilts, blankets, and comforters in to school to donate to the shelter.

Groups Call on the Agency to Issue New Regulations Declaring Foie Gras a Diseased Product

Second Annual Report Ranking Every State and the District of Columbia on the Relative Strength and Comprehensiveness of Their Animal Protection Laws

Foster Care Forms Developed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program

Nearly 4,000 Legislators and Legislative Staffers Gathered in Boston

Proposed Amendment to State RICO Act Could Send Dogfighters to Jail for 20 Years

Thomas M. Cooley Law School Forms the Nation’s 100th Student Chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund while ALDF Attorneys Advise on Local Dog Fighting Case

The biggest difficulty animal advocates face in helping animals get their day in court is "standing."

Quinnipiac Animal Law Society works to increase legal protection for animals.

Tamara McElyrea, vice president of Thomas M. Cooley Law School SALDF chapter discusses why animal law is here to stay.

The SALDF chapter at Quinnipiac University School of Law recently gained some community recognition through efforts on behalf of Connecticut S.B. 284, a bill pending in the Connecticut state legislature that would allow judges to issue orders of protections for animals in domestic violence situations.

Attorneys, Law Students, Professors, and Activists From Around the World Convened for "The Future of Animal Law"

In February, law students from all over the country competed at the fourth annual National Animal Advocacy Competitions (NAAC) at Harvard Law School.

Case Against Animal Hoarder Involved Hundreds of Dogs, Record Penalties

The University of Victoria School of Law's second annual conference on animal rights and the law left attendees craving more.

With the help of a $1 million grant to Northwestern University School of Law by Bob Barker, SALDF members laid the groundwork for an Animal Legal Protection Clinic.

Double Whammy for Mistreated Animals is a Negative Side Effect of Measure 3

Animal Law is being taught this spring for the first time at The University of Texas School of Law thanks to the school's SALDF members.

Oregon Court of Appeals Grants Petition to Permanently Remove Cats from their Neglectful Owner in Linn County Hoarding Case, Sets Vital Precedent for Animal Law

Since the very beginning, cutting-edge lawsuits have been at the heart of ALDF's work to protect the lives of animals. From pushing government agencies to do their jobs to protect animals to shining a national spotlight on issues like factory farming and dissection in schools.

ALDF Disappointed by High Court's Decision on Measure 3; Remains Confident in the Integrity of Abused Animal Forfeiture Laws

There are a number of ways to make significant contributions to this field by either working as a volunteer or doing pro bono work for a firm. Here are some suggestions for getting involved in animal law.

Developed for law students and law professionals, this tutorial focuses on fostering the growth of animal law in academia and legal practice. Animal Law 101 is in its new format and can be viewed online.

It began with one of the cruelest animal abuse cases imaginable. Three young men took Max, a brown tabby cat, from his home in Spokane, Washington, doused him with gasoline, and set him on fire in a field.