Legally Brief: Leaders in Animal Law Gather in Los Angeles

Legal professionals who care about animals should circle May 21 on their calendars. That’s the day the Animal Legal Defense Fund puts on the second annual Animal Law Symposium in Los Angeles. The intensive day-long program offers cutting-edge information on one of the most compelling issues in animal law: criminal acts of cruelty. The symposium is perfect for prosecutors, law enforcement professionals, judges, veterinarians, law students, and other individuals with an interest in animal cruelty laws, investigations and enforcement.

Sadly those in the field know that while cruelty can grab headlines and heartstrings, the realities of seeing these cases through the legal system are very complex. The symposium’s theme, Animal Cruelty Prosecution: Pitfalls and Progress, sets the stage for an agenda packed with real world research from some of the most respected names out there. Attendees will get a crash course in the most up-to-date legal thought and research.

From a 101 course on prosecuting cruelty cases, to the secrets behind veterinary forensics and jury selection, to a special spotlight on how improving police training can lead to better evidence and fewer civilian dogs killed, the symposium is an invaluable experience for those who want to fight for justice for animals.

I have been looking forward to this year’s symposium since the moment last year’s ended—it’s so important for everyone on the animals’ side to keep up with what is going on in the wider world of animal law.

Join me on May 21, 2016 to hear from experts like:

• Debbie Knaan, Deputy District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Case Coordinator, LA County
• Rich P. Matthews, Senior Trial Consultant, Juryology, San Francisco, CA
• Farshid Shahriar, DVM, MVSc, PhD, President, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory Veterinary Pathology Services and Consulting, Tustin, CA
• Karen L. Snell, Civil Rights Attorney, San Francisco, CA
• Lora Dunn, Criminal Justice Program Interim Director, Animal Legal Defense Fund

These top experts, and many more, make the 2016 Animal Law Symposium a can’t-miss opportunity.

Animals need a strong team of lawyers to protect them—and to fight for better laws. For fresh dialogue on this important topic, join us at the Animal Law Symposium in May.

California attorneys will be eligible to receive continuing legal education credits, pending approval.