Spotlight: Frannie von Friedeburg

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

I am proud of the amount and diversity of speakers our student ALDF board brought to Lewis & Clark’s campus this year, especially accomplishing this feat alongside full courseloads and other extracurricular activities. We held two animal law weeks, one in each semester, featuring speakers and social events, and organized an additional ten lunch talks. We invited speakers from a range of practice areas, including Amy van Saun from the Center for Food Safety, who spoke about the effects of neonicotinoids on wildlife, and Scott Beckstead, who spoke about ongoing efforts to protect wild horses in Nevada. We also invited Portland-based animal rights groups to share opportunities for students to get involved in outside of school. Finally, we held a culminating reception event that featured a keynote address by Zoe Roesenberg. In addition to the above, I facilitated a pro bono opportunity with the Animal Welfare Institute for first-year students to gain hands-on experience in animal law.

Any other noteworthy experience?

I attended the ALDF Animal Law Conference and the Brooks Animal Law Student Summit this year. Meeting with fellow law students from other universities, scientists, and practicing attorneys provided great networking opportunities and opened my eyes to developing topics in the field. I was particularly captivated by the work being done to combat police immunity in animal cruelty cases and NYU’s Wildlife Inclusive Local Development (WILD) lab that serves to enhance the lives of animals living in urban environments.

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

I will be involved in forming an animal crimes subcommittee under the ABA’s animal law sector this year. I will serve as a student chair and look forward to establishing the subcommittee and connecting the committee with other areas of animal and criminal law. Through this experience, I aim to further my understanding of animal anti-cruelty protection. In addition, in this final year of law school, I hope to grow my confidence and practice working in litigation. 

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

Following graduation, my goal is to secure an animal law fellowship or a position with a district attorney’s office where I could litigate animal cruelty and wildlife crime cases. In addition, I hope to advance legislative initiatives in rural areas to strengthen animal anti-cruelty protection. This includes addressing animal practices that have historically been exempt from anti-cruelty protection, such as rodeos and other exhibitions.

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

Reach out to other student chapters and leaders for support, ideas, and comradery! There are many passionate student activists with unique interests and ideas. Connecting with other student networks may shape or inspire what activities you would like to bring to your student chapter and could open the door to pro bono or volunteer projects. The success of the animal welfare movement thrives from collaboration and community effort.  

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