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Event

Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Convention

Registration is Open! The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s 9th annual Student Convention will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Chicago, IL. The Student Convention is an opportunity for law students to meet other like-minded law students from across the country, learn from and network with leading experts in animal law, and hear from law student panelists about various animal law topics.  

The Student Convention is free for law students and is highly recommended for those planning to attend the 33rd annual Animal Law Conference, co-presented by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School. The Animal Law Conference kicks off on Friday, October 17, with an evening welcome reception, and continues through Sunday, October 19, 2025.  The Student Convention will be recorded and made available to law students who are unable to attend in-person. 

Register now for the Student Convention!

Travel Grants: A limited number of travel grants will be available to law students only. Applications will be available in August 2025. Learn more about travel grants and apply for consideration after August 2025.  

Call for Papers: Three students will be selected to present their papers at the Student Convention on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Chicago, IL. These students will receive travel support and registration for the Animal Law Conference. Papers are being accepted now through July 30, 2025. Learn more about submission guidelines and submit your paper for consideration.  

Schedule – full schedule coming soon!

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.: Registration & Breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Welcome Remarks

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.: Career Panel

Jessica Blome, Attorney, Greenfire Law, PC

 

Caitlin Hawks, Chief Programs Officer, Animal Legal Defense Fund

 

Jaime Olin, Vice President and Legislative Chair, Texas Humane Legislation Network

 

Conley Wouters, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

 

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.: Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m.: Networking

Beth Naccarato, Chief People Officer, Animal Legal Defense Fund

 

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch & Awards Ceremony

12:45 – 2:15 p.m.: Law Student Scholarship Panel

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks & Networking

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