Congratulations to the 2022 Student Chapters of the Year!

Congratulations to the Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter members at Florida State University College of Law and The George Washington University Law School for winning the 2022 Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter of the Year Awards!

Student chapters are recognized student organizations at law schools across the U.S. and affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Each student chapter is supported through Animal Legal Defense Fund grants to hold events on campus and attend animal law conferences and events. Each student chapter is supported and empowered to engage in local, state, and federal legislation, collaborate with local organizations on related issues, and offered special access to Animal Legal Defense Fund staff.

The student chapter at Florida State University College of Law started the year off running brining awareness to animal protection issues in their area. During the 2021-2022 school year, they organized law students and partnered with the Humane Society of the United States to protest SB 620 “Local Business Protection Act” at the Florida Capitol during the Senate committee meeting on the bill in an effort to protect dogs from harmful puppy mills in the state. They also co-hosted a film screening with the Environmental Law Society of “Eating Our Way to Extinction.” This event brough together students interested in environmental law and animal law to show the hard-hitting facts of the agricultural harms to animals and the environment. In addition, they also hosted a successful animal law writing competition with Pets Ad Litem, Inc. and the Florida Bar Association Animal Law Section.

After a slow period, due to the pandemic, the George Washington University Law School student chapter came back roaring with a blend of virtual and in-person events that broke previous records for attendance and fundraising. Some of the most memorable events included documentary screenings and panel discussions and were often co-hosted with other GW Law student organizations including the American Constitution Society, the Environment and Energy Law Program, and Black Law Students Association. The chapter also revived their annual companion animal photo contest and calendar sale of the “Cutest Animals at GW Law” which raised over $1,112 to be donated at a local animal shelter or sanctuary. Through a combination of academic panels, legislative volunteer work, adorable companion animal photos, and welcoming tabling events for all, the GW Law Student Chapter was able to grow their membership and engage with the law school in new ways.

We are incredibly proud of both chapters and look forward to seeing what they do in the years to come!