Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter of the Year Award

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter of the Year Award celebrates chapters that have shown incredible efforts in advancing the field of animal law and advocating for animals through original projects and initiatives. This award is given out at the annual Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Convention.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters are a vital part of the growing animal law movement. Through raising awareness of the field of animal law at their school, they are showing fellow students that animal protection is a serious social justice issue. These future attorneys, legislators and judges will be influential advocates for changing the law to better protect animals.

Chapters raise awareness of issues affecting animals through activities such as holding events for Animal Legal Defense Fund’s weeks of action, like Speak Out for Farmed Animals Week; tabling; leafleting; screening films; organizing symposia and guest speakers; and building coalitions with other law school student organizations. They also advocate for Meatless Mondays or plant-based options in their cafeterias or at law school events, hold networking events, and volunteer at local farmed animal sanctuaries or humane societies.

We know this past year has been difficult for many due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those chapters that were able to be active last year, we want to thank you for your effort.

If you would like your student chapter to be considered for this award, please describe 1-3 of your chapter’s activities or events during the 2020-2021 academic year, and how they helped you build community, offer support to animals in need, or raised awareness of animal law and protection issues.

The winners will be chosen by a committee comprised of Animal Legal Defense Fund staff, and will receive prizes. Submissions must be 500 words or less, and be received no later than 5 p.m. PST on Monday, September 13. Please email your submission to Senior Student Programs Attorney Kelly Levenda.