Spotlight: Abigail Frankel

What Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter activities are you proudest of and why?

I am proudest of our chapter’s contribution to the passage of the Pistol the Pomeranian Protection Act, which was signed into law on April 2, 2026 and bans the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and through third-party brokers throughout Colorado. As a 1L, I had limited opportunities to initiate projects but was able to engage with local lawmakers on behalf of this bill alongside my chapter. This experience was rewarding and reaffirmed my belief that policy initiatives are some of the strongest routes to help animals. It also opened my eyes to the importance of connecting our chapter’s work to local legislative efforts, which is something I intend to prioritize as Co-President. Much of the legislative organizing was led by my Co-President, Megan Myre, whose work was instrumental in the chapter’s involvement.

Any other noteworthy experience?

During my 1L year, I volunteered with Animal Partisan, an animal law firm in Virginia. This experience brought me into direct contact with how animal protection arguments are constructed in legal contexts and confirmed that meaningful advocacy requires both legal creativity and familiarity with the regulatory frameworks that currently insulate industrial animal agriculture from accountability. I also volunteered with Pro Animal Future, where I directly spoke with community members about animal rights and collected petition signatures to get a foie gras ban on the Denver ballot. This campaign was a success, and I look forward to educating Denver about foie gras before the vote this fall.

What is an animal law related goal of yours for the upcoming academic year?

This year, I am excited to work on a new legislative initiative: the Alfie Advocacy Project. This project seeks to enact legislation to improve the treatment of animals in the shelter system once they are impounded, and to improve dog bite rules to prevent companion animals from being impounded in the first place. I look forward to collaborating with other members of CLALDF to draft legislation and help to get our proposed bill on the legislative calendar.

Additionally, I hope to increase collaborations with other student interest groups. I plan to host a talk together with the Native American Law Students Association regarding wild horses and dogs on tribal lands. I would also like to host a panel with animal law professors about the first amendment rights of protestors generally and the potential use of the necessity defense for animal rights protestors in the criminal law context.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

After graduation, I would love to take a position working with an animal law group that engages in advocacy on behalf of farmed animals. I also am interested in working in plaintiffs’ side labor law, representing unions. Either way, I want to volunteer my time engaging in projects that advance animal rights and hope to continue volunteering for my local farmed animal sanctuary. Ultimately, I hope to help free sentient beings from the abuses of industry.

What is one piece of advice that you’d like to pass on to other Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter leaders?

To have a village, you must be a villager. Increasing engagement in animal law requires that advocates meet students where they are. I would advise other ALDF student chapter leaders to figure out how to combine animal law programming with other areas of interest. Collaborating with an environmental law student organization is a great starting point, as there is a natural overlap with animal law. For instance, we hosted a successful talk on CAFOs which wove in elements of water law and animal law and were able to reach a broader audience. Talk to leaders from other student organizations and figure out where your advocacy goals intersect. Many people already oppose animal cruelty; the goal is to help them see the connection between human liberation and animal liberation.

Learn more about the other 2026 Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship winners.