In this continuing series of updates on former SALDF members, ALDF is proud to spotlight Elisabeth Custalow.

Each year ALDF's Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships are awarded to members of Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapters based upon a commitment to advancing ALDF’s mission.

You’re almost a senior in high school, or just starting college, and you think you might want to spend your life helping animals? Animal law may be for you!

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 20th Annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark Law School. The theme of this year’s conference was "Celebrating 20 Years of Animal Law: Looking Back and Looking Ahead."

In this continuing series of updates on former SALDF members, ALDF is proud to spotlight Alexis Fox.

The Animal Law Society is UCLA’s SALDF chapter, comprised of several officers and a wider group of UCLA law students interested in animal legal issues.

In this continuing series of updates on former Student Animal Legal Defense Fund members, ALDF is proud to spotlight Emily Davidsohn.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund's Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships are awarded to second- and third-year law student members of Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapters based upon demonstrated commitment to ALDF's mission.

Congratulations to ALDF's 2012 Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship recipients!

"Law and animals" is a novel field of legal research which examines how human society deals with animals and how such treatment is reflected in the law. The application process closes June 15, 2012 for the autumn semester 2012.

This summer Matthew Liebman and I are excited to be teaching an intensive course at Lewis & Clark Law School entitled Animal Law Litigation.

University of Akron SALDF students sponsor an event aimed at reducing stress during finals week.

The University of Baltimore School of Law SALDF chapter is committed to advancing animal protection and advocating for animals within their community.

The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only organization working toward actual Legal rights for members of species other than our own.

As an undergraduate at University of North Carolina, Elizabeth Overcash led an animal interest group called Helping Paws.

Lewis & Clark Law School is proud to announce the launch of the world's first Animal LL.M. Program. The program will start in the Fall of 2012.

It's that time of year, when the best and the brightest law students, coaches, and judges congregate at the National Animal Law Competitions, an inter-law school competition presented by the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark, in collaboration with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The prestigious national competition will be hosted at UCLA School of Law, February 24-26, 2012.

The Committee on Animals and the Law of the New York State Bar Association is pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Student Writing Competition. The deadline for submission is June 29, 2012.

Animal Welfare Institute
Washington, D.C.

ALDF wants to support and encourage dedication to the field of animal law by offering recent law graduates a free attorney membership in ALDF's Animal Law Program for one year.

Law school is meant to be punishing, and finding ways to relieve stress while earning a J.D. can be elusive. So it is quite encouraging that some law schools have introduced warm hearts, cold noses, and four paws to help students get through these stress-filled days.

I just got back from Washington D.C. and a productive visit at the 2012 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting. For those of you unfamiliar, the AALS is a non-profit educational association of 172 law schools representing more than 10,000 law faculty in the U.S., and its Annual Meeting constitutes the largest gathering of law faculty in the world.

That first year, their focus was on raising awareness about the existence of animal law. Three years strong, this chapter continues to pool their creativity and positivity to further their goals on behalf of animals everywhere.

Co-author Lisa Turner is the president of the Texas Wesleyan SALDF chapter. This article appeared in the November issue of the Texas Bar Journal, which was devoted to animal law.

Lewis & Clark Law School to launch Animal Law LL.M. (Master of Laws) program.

Third-year Western Law student Teri Muszak has started up the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at Western, much to the appreciation of Cash, a 6-year-old border collie mix.

A resource guide for students and graduates interested in this dynamic and cutting-edge area of the law.

Congratulations to ALDF's 2011 Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship recipients!

Seven students received ALDF's Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship this year for their outstanding work in the growing field of animal law.

This week, two Animal Legal Defense Fund attorneys published a first-of-its-kind book, A Worldview of Animal Law, which analyzes legal protections for animals from a global perspective.

Download the full copy of ALDF's Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America and Canada new edition or instantly view individual jurisdictions on our interactive map.

The Journal of Animal Ethics is looking for articles, Argument pieces, reviews and review articles, that have relevance to the ethics of our treatment of animals.

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund invited any law students who have been writing papers and law review notes on animal-related topics to share their work. Their presentations at our meeting last week were proof that Animal Law is both diverse and thriving in the community.

Recently, a program called Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV) was featured in the "O" Magazine, in an article devoted to the link between domestic abuse and animal cruelty.

New Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter forms at Mississippi College School of Law.

Barry Law SALDF kicked off the 2010-2011 school year at a student organizations fair held for incoming 1Ls and signed up 30 students who expressed an interest in joining the group.

Equal Justice Alliance
Telecommute

A fantastic article on OregonLive.com discusses the burgeoning field of animal law and how the Animal Legal Defense Fund is providing essential programs and services for law students.

Six students participating in a legal clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School are doing their small part to change the world.

To learn more about a number of legal concerns that involve animal welfare - whether those issues involve pets, livestock, or even exotic animals - students at Indiana law schools have started organizations affiliated with the national Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Cailen LaBarge of Suffolk Law School discusses the mainstream's vast misconception of animal law and its place in out society.

The Legal Governance Concentration of Research Excellence (CORE) in the Macquarie Law School, Macquarie University, is offering up to two full time Macquarie University Research Excellence PhD Scholarships (MQRES) under the supervision of Professor David Weisbrot AM, the co-convenor of the CORE.

Were you ever that passionate? Were you ever that hopeful?

On October 16-17, hundreds of law students, legal professionals, academics, and interested members of the public convened at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon for the 2010 Animal Law Conference: Animals in Crisis: Using the Laws We Have, Getting the Laws We Need.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships are available to second and third year law student members of our student chapters and will be awarded based upon demonstrated commitment to ALDF's mission.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships are available to law student members of our student chapters and will be awarded based upon demonstrated commitment to ALDF's mission.

If you are planning to attend the 18th Annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark Law School, time is of the essence! Only 50 spots remain for this popular conference which has a history of selling out early.

As summer winds down and we launch into another academic school year, ALDF is looking forward to meeting the next generation of future animal lawyers!

In order to promote SMU SALDF and make its presence known on campus, members held a tabling event to gather signatures for ALDF's Animal Bill of Rights, a petition to the United States Congress for stronger animal protection laws.

ALDF Staff Attorney Matthew Liebman offers some insights for undergraduates who are interested in pursuing careers in animal law.

JURIST Dateline seeks high-quality articles from law students who have had personal experience with the law.

Congratulations to the Animal Legal Defense Fund's Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship recipients! Three students received the national scholarship this year for their outstanding work in the growing field of animal law: Katie Barnett, Vince Field, and Christina Fojas.

Three students received ALDF's Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships this year for their outstanding work in the growing field of animal law: Katie Barnett, Vince Field, and Christina Fojas.

Check out the most recent Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter spotlight, submitted by Kristina Moen, president of the SALDF chapter at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago.

In April 2010, Northwestern Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund hosted "Animal Law Week," a weeklong series of events designed to educate students about the wide variety of issues facing animals in the legal system today.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering new law school graduates free attorney memberships in ALDF's Animal Law Program for one year. We really hope you will join our pro bono attorney network!

While in his last year at Chicago-Kent School of Law, Josh Grant, co-director of the school's Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter, wrote an in-depth article discussing Chicago's ban on foie gras.

Download a complimentary copy or order a copy on CD.

ALDF's Future of Animal Law Conference a huge success.

I was not able to attend last weekend's sold-out Future of Animal Law Conference, despite having planned on it for months. You know what they say about the best laid plans. Unfortunately, my dog Alec suddenly became very ill last week. When I took him to the emergency hospital, they discovered he was bleeding internally from a mass on his spleen that had ruptured.

Beloved "Price Is Right" Host Joins the Animal Legal Defense Fund for Nation's Premier Gathering of Legal Luminaries Whose Careers Have Gone to the Dogs

If you're in or around these areas next week, we encourage you to check out these upcoming animal law events.

As part of St. John's SALDF's work to raise awareness of animal law, we hold a 5K charity run/walk every year. On April 10, 2010, we invite anyone in the area to join us at our Third Annual Vets and Pets 5K for Charity.

The University of Washington Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) recently hosted a talk by Howard Lyman, author of "Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat."

For the past decade, Katie Bray has dedicated her spare time to animal welfare and rescue work on the ground. Now, as a law student, she is arming herself with the knowledge and skills to defend animal interests in the legal system.

My friend and ALDF attorney member, Megan Senatori, and I are debriefing at an airport bar after our weekend at Harvard Law School where we served as judges at the National Animal Law Competitions (NALC), sponsored by the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark, in collaboration with ALDF. As we discuss how impressed we were with the competition, law students, judges and the mere fact that such a competition exists, we can't help but recall our law school days.

There are only three days left to take advantage of early bird registration for ALDF's Future of Animal Law conference! Don't miss this excellent opportunity to explore vital issues relative to animal law and activism with attorneys, law students, professors, and activists from around the world.

This past weekend, in the dead of the New England winter, the Harvard Student Animal Legal Defense Fund played gracious host to the annual National Animal Law Competitions (NALC) sponsored by the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS), a program that Animal Legal Defense Fund is proud of. In addition to funding the competitions, most of ALDF's staff attorneys served as judges and jurors throughout the weekend.

This past weekend, law students from around the country converged on Harvard Law School to compete in the National Animal Law Competitions, put on by the Center for Animal Law Studies.

Bob Barker may best be known as the beloved host of the longest running TV game show in history. But "The Price is Right" host is also a long-time advocate for animals and is the keynote speaker at Animal Legal Defense Fund's "Future of Animal Law" conference on April 9-11 at Harvard Law School.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" Dr. King devoted his life’s work to causes of social justice and equality. In August 1994, the King Holiday and Service Act designated the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service. Instead of taking a day off, Americans are challenged each year to celebrate Dr. King's legacy by giving back to their community. So on January 18, please support the Animal Legal Defense Fund in its efforts to end animal suffering and abuse.

Proving that a few voices can create change, Boston College Law School Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) members convinced the school to stop using eggs from hens kept in battery cages and instead switch to using cage-free eggs.

In the spring 2009 semester, the Boston College Law School SALDF strategized a campaign to convince the school to stop using eggs from hens kept in battery cages and instead switch to using cage-free eggs.

Podcasts are now available of Animal Law: The Links, The Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark, hosted by the Center for Animal Law Studies and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at Lewis & Clark Law School.

I finally made it to my first animal law conference! After almost two years as ALDF's media relations associate, I felt it was time to schmooze with the who's who of animal law. Hosted by The Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark, in collaboration with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, it's the longest running animal law conference in the nation.

Sometimes, it's the subtle details that hit you right between the eyes. I've just returned from the annual animal law conference held at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon and throughout this excellent conference, I felt the presence of something else... something that is new and wonderful and growing.

Chapman's Animal Law Society raised over $1,100 for a local animal welfare group with their Pet Photo Contest. The winner was awarded the coveted title of "2009 Animal Law Society Mascot."

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is launching a new annual fundraising contest for our SALDF chapters. The contest challenges our chapters to hold a fundraiser (or fundraisers) of their choice during the fall semester and donate the proceeds to ALDF's legal programs to help animals.

Volume 2 of the Stanford Journal of Animal Law and Policy (SJALP) is now online.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our summer clerks, who will be spending ten weeks gaining valuable experience working for either our Civil Litigation Program in California or our Criminal Justice Program in Oregon.

Animal lovers in San Juan Puerto Rico beckoned ALDF for a visit to observe and assist with local efforts to protect and enhance the lives of animals there, and I happily volunteered to go.

SALDF's Tulane chapter members began their fall with an unexpected hurricane evacuation but returned to New Orleans within a week, with homes and spirits fully intact.

If you're a lawyer, law professor, law student, legislator or other legal professional, this is a must-have resource!

Come on down and enjoy our chat with Bob!

We're happy to announce the launch of our brand-new SALDF Facebook page. Check out our SALDF Facebook page and become a fan today!

From visiting the sheriff’s office and asking them to enforce tethering laws to having an animal law course added to the curriculum, the Texas Tech School of Law SALDF chapter has come a long way in the short time it has been in existence.

Animal legal education has reached a new milestone with the appointment of the nation’s first dean in the field, Pamela Frasch.

ALDF received this great news from Robyn Katz, President of the Texas Tech University Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF).

The Chicago-Kent Student Animal Legal Defense Fund hosted the Chicago-Kent "Foie Gras Panel" to debate the legality, wisdom, and ramifications of Chicago's former ban on the sale of foie gras.

The Center for Animal Law Studies held the 2009 National Animal Law Moot Court and Closing Argument Competition this past weekend at Harvard Law School. I am happy to report first-hand that the event was a terrific success!

The SALDF chapter at the University of Houston has had its ups and downs this past year, but has managed to stay focused on their primary objective - making the world a better place for all creatures, one step at a time.

ALDF strengthens collaboration with Lewis & Clark Law School

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.

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.

People for Animal Welfare & Safety (P.A.W.S.) worked with local animal protection organizations and shelters in a combined effort to prevent animal cruelty.

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!

Stetson University College of Law SALDF is hosting a three-part luncheon speaker series for the fall semester.

Animal Legal Defense Fund
Cotati, California
Portland, Oregon

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

The Ventura College of Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter, who recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, reflects on their accomplishments and activities.

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.

Looking for a speaker for your SALDF event? Here is a helpful list of suggestions.

This list includes films that have been screened by SALDF chapters at their events.

There are many ways your chapter can advocate on behalf of animals and raise awareness about animal law on campus and in the wider community. Here is a list of suggestions to help you get started.

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.

The University of Florida’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapter members took part in a large-scale volunteer event at Rooterville, a local pot-bellied pig sanctuary.

Cornell SALDF’s hallmark event, held once per semester, is the Bob Barker Invitational Beer Pong Tournament for the Animals benefiting the Tompkins County SPCA’s low-income spay and neuter program.

The Seton Hall Law SALDF introduced their first annual Men of SHU Law Calendar, consisted of 12 second and third year male students at the school posing (fully clothed of course!) with their companion animals.

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

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?"

The Brandeis SALDF chapter is the first and only chapter in Kentucky, and since its inception last spring has been very successful in raising awareness regarding animal related legal issues in Kentucky.

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.

During the cold and dark pre-exam stress period, when the typical Vermont Law School student’s diet has been reduced to ramen noodles and frozen burritos, SALDF is preparing what has become a school tradition: Vegan Thanksgiving.

Marissa Dirks, Harvard SALDF president, wrote this editorial about the cruel dog racing industry, which appeared in The Record, the independent newspaper at Harvard Law School.

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

Until recently, there was not an animal law course being taught at Chicago-Kent College of Law; the Chicago-Kent SALDF made it their goal to change this.

Each spring, Boalt Hall Animal Law Society hosts an Animal Awareness Week on campus to educate students and faculty at the University of California–Berkeley about issues involving animals in our society, the lack of protection that animals have through our existing laws, and how we can promote the humane treatment of animals.

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

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"

The University of Washington SALDF, along with the UW Center for Human Rights and Justice and the Latin@ Law Student Association hosted a forum on the social costs of factory farms.

Members of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law hosted their first annual "Picture Yourself With Santa" charity event.

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

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.

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.

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.

The process of applying for a Student Animal Legal Defense Fund grant for your chapter is discussed on this page.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapters are ALDF's law student groups, representing on campuses across the nation our mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers this comprehensive list of animal law courses offered throughout the United States and Canada.

The following materials are designed to help you with the process of forming a Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapter at your law school.

Selecting a law school to attend is a critical decision for future animal attorneys. ALDF offers these tips to finding the school that's right for you.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has compiled a concise list of animal law publications, academic journals and selected books.

Join Animal Legal Defense Fund's Animal Law Program! As a law student member, you'll receive ALDF's newsletter, The Animals' Advocate, an issue of Animal Law Review, email updates and more.