Spotlight: Frannie Von Friedeburg

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

As a 1L representative, I helped organize the Lewis & Clark chapter’s annual MeatOut event. This required reaching out to local and national restaurants, cafes, and businesses to secure vegan food donations to provide an entirely vegan lunch to the school’s students and faculty during our Animal Law Week. The planning for this took place over the course of several months, and we were able to curate a wide spread of foods, from plant-based burgers to cookies. I also enjoyed supporting the chapter however I could, including preparing on-campus events. I helped coordinate and set up an art show to raise money for a local animal shelter in the Portland area. This event featured a talk given by Jo-Anne McArthur.

Any other noteworthy experience?

I previously worked for Alley Cat Allies to promote trap-neuter-return programs as a method to address the overpopulation of feral cats across the United States. This summer I am looking forward to serving as a research assistant to one of the Lewis & Clark professors and engaging in research and editing documents on international animal agricultural protection.

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

I am excited to continue the legacy of the prior co-directors of our chapter. I plan to expand our chapter’s network to inspire more students to engage in animal law topics as well as strengthen relationships with animal rights organizations in the Portland, Oregon area. I also intend to write my capstone this upcoming year and am interested in exploring legal protections for dogs placed on court holds at county animal shelters. The lack of existing protection for court hold dogs is something I experienced firsthand while working at a shelter, and I am looking forward to researching this area further.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

My goal post-graduation is to work in animal legal advocacy. I am particularly interested in litigating crimes committed against animals. I would love to be able to do this at both the local and international levels, whether that be combating illegal wildlife trade or ending roadside zoos here in the United States. I also plan to continue my work with the ALDF and hope to serve as a chapter alumni advisor.

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

Foster a collaborative environment! I consider myself to be relatively knowledgeable about animal welfare topics but am constantly struck by the knowledge, breadth, and depth my peers have surrounding areas of animal law that I had not even considered. I think everyone in the animal law community benefits, as well as the animals, when we create space for diverse interests and perspectives to further the animal welfare movement as a whole.

Learn more about the other 2025 Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship winners.