Michael Swistara

As a Litigation Fellow, Michael Swistara works with the Litigation Program attorneys to research and develop creative legal strategies to improve the status and lives of animals through the legal system. Michael has a particular interest in using the law to combat factory farming.

Michael earned his B.A. in Political Science and Economics from McGill University in Montréal, Canada before going on to earn his M.A. in Economics from Columbia University. After working in the private sector, Michael went back to school to earn a J.D. and M.P.P. from The George Washington University.

At law school, Michael was a member of The George Washington University Law Review and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. He served as Secretary of the Environmental and Energy Law Association, President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Student Coordinator for the GW Law Animal Welfare Pro Bono Project. Michael was the 2021-22 recipient of the Samantha Animal Law Scholarship and was a 2021-22 Emerging Scholars Fellow at the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law and Policy. He is also active in the American Bar Association and currently serves as Newsletter Vice Chair for the International Animal Law Committee and Young Lawyers Vice Chair for the TIPS Animal Law Committee.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys reading, cooking, running, and cycling. He lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and their adorable companion cat, Matilda.

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