Spotlight: Elly Ren

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

I’m probably most proud of the vegan “Lunch and Learn” we organized with the Emory Environmental Law Society. We brought in Professor Randall Abate to talk about the overlap between animal and environmental law, which really helped us reach people outside our usual circle. I am also proud of an event we hosted with the Emory Health Law, Policy & Ethics Project featuring Emory Law alum and former Director of Litigation for ALDF, Carter Dillard. It was very motivating to have an alum who reached such a high level in the field come back to share his experience with us. His talk gave our members a clear look at how the skills we’re building now can translate into a high-impact career in animal advocacy.

Any other noteworthy experience?

We brought back our therapy dog “Recess” this year and hosted one each semester! These events are always a huge hit and help us engage with the wider law school community in a more relaxed setting. It’s a fun, visible way to keep animal welfare on people’s radars and celebrate the very animals we hope to protect using the legal system.

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

My main goal is to keep our momentum going by hosting even more guest speakers. I want to continue bringing in experts from different niches of animal law to show our members the wide variety of career paths available and to keep these important conversations active across the law school.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

After graduation, I plan to stay involved by serving as a mentor and resource for my student chapter, connecting current students with alumni working in the field and sharing relevant opportunities as they arise. Regardless of where my legal career takes me, I also hope to continue volunteering at my local animal sanctuary. 

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

My biggest piece of advice is to get a handle on your university’s student organization bureaucracy as early as possible. Between the 30-day notice required to book rooms and the vendor exemption forms you might need to cater from vegan establishments, there are a lot of moving parts to manage. It’s easy for these administrative tasks to pile up, but if you’re not proactive, you can end up missing out on great opportunities just because of a missed deadline. Staying on top of the logistics might feel tedious, but it’s what actually gives you the freedom to pull off successful events without the last-minute stress.

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