Spotlight: Gabriela Martinez

Gabriela Martinez is a 2024 recipient of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship.

This award honors students who demonstrate a commitment to the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission “to advance the interests and protect the lives of animals through the legal system.” Recipients are actively involved in their Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter while in law school and show promise in the field after graduation.

Gabriela is a rising 3L at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where she is pursuing a J.D. with an advanced certificate in environmental law. Gabriela is a Latin American Law Student Association member, a representative within the Food and Agriculture Division in the Environmental Law Society, and served as co-vice president of her school’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter during her 2L year.

What Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter activities are you proudest of and why?
We have had an incredible year, and I am genuinely proud of all the events we have organized, from volunteering at a local animal sanctuary to hosting a plant-based food fair and running a supply drive for a local animal shelter. What sets SALDF apart is that we are more than just a “social” or solely “career advancement” club or a “legal” club. We blend community, friendship, legal research and legal writing, volunteerism, and philanthropy—all aimed at helping animals. The event I am most proud of took place last fall, during Speak Out for Farmed Animals Month. We hosted an event called SOFA, which shed light on the structure of factory farms and their common practices. It was extremely well-rounded: we offered free plant-based food, and it was the best-attended SALDF event I have seen, with over 30 students. We also had ALDF memorabilia on hand. A particularly impactful part of SOFA was an interactive visual where we marked the lecture hall floor to show the typical size of gestation crates for pigs and their proximity to each other. We also held a thorough presentation, encouraging the entire executive board, club representatives, and members to sign up for research and presentation slots. I spoke about ag-gag laws and common cruel practices. Afterwards, we held a 15-minute open discussion. The event was a huge success and deeply personal to me. The plight of farmed animals not only led me to veganism but also to law school, particularly animal law and my career path. Hosting this discussion in a law school setting, where such topics are rare, was both grounding and immensely rewarding.

Any other noteworthy experience?
Attending the 2023 Animal Law Conference in Los Angeles with the Pace SALDF chapter was definitely a highlight of my year! Back at Pace, we had other fantastic experiences, such as our movie screening of “The Smell of Money” and our Ethical Consumption event. This event, similar to SOFA, was presentation and awareness-based, which I find incredibly impactful. Our aim was to delve into the concepts of greenwashing and humane washing. We dissected what labels like “cage-free” and “humanely raised” really mean, investigated who oversees and grants these labels, and explored how consumers can make more ethical choices. The event deeply enhanced our understanding and spurred us to advocate for more transparent and ethical consumer practices, particularly as we uncovered the latest deceptive tactics used by corporations to mislead consumers.

What is an animal law related goal of yours for the upcoming academic year?
One of my goals, with the support of our chapter, is to take action against the New Jersey bear hunt. I grew up and still live in New Jersey, a state I deeply love. However, last year, in October and December of 2023, black bears in New Jersey were subjected to a hunt overseen by the Fish and Game Council and the NJ EPA. Seeing such a barbaric practice in my home state, which is known for its progressive and environmentally friendly policies, is extremely heartbreaking. I believe it would be an invaluable experience for both me and our chapter to hone our legislative advocacy skills by lobbying Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey government. Our aim would be to push for a ban on the bear hunt and advocate for the rights of these majestic animals. We could achieve this through in-person lobbying efforts, collaborating on a letter to send to government officials, and possibly organizing some petition signing activities.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?
Post-graduation, my immediate goal is to pass the bar and become a licensed attorney, with the hope of landing a position as an animal attorney. I dream of working for organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Partisan, the Animal Welfare Institute, etc. Understanding that the field of animal law is both small and competitive, if I am unable to secure a position immediately, I plan to practice environmental law. This would likely be at an environmental law firm in New Jersey or New York, where I can gain valuable experience and hone my lawyering skills. This will not only make me a more attractive candidate for future animal law positions but will also allow me to work in a field I am passionate about. Environmental law involves a variety of interests such as food systems, resource scarcity, consumer protection, climate change, and human rights—all of which I have enjoyed studying. I aim to integrate animal concerns into these areas as I build my skill set. Additionally, I would like to remain involved with the Pace SALDF chapter as an advisor, helping to organize events, bring in speakers, and offer mentorship. Beyond my professional aspirations, I would love to buy some land, build my own house, and create a peaceful life complete with a garden and some rescue animals.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to pass on to other Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter leaders?
I would really encourage them to be loud and proud with their voices, emphasizing that this field of law does matter, and so do their goals related to animal law, despite the traditional focus and attention on other fields of law. Many may overlook us, dismissing us as merely passionate dog lovers or extreme vegans, or as people concerned with minor issues. I would urge them not to be swayed by the negativity, doubts, and pressures from society. Assert your claim, raise your hand, and don’t be afraid to speak out for animals. What we are doing is new, innovative, and yes, it can be intimidating—I understand that. But we must be courageous. In any way I can, I would support them and try to equip them with the tools needed to hold provocative events like SOFA and Ethical Consumption. Encourage them to raise their hands in constitutional law class when the professor asks if prisoners should be offered a vegan meal as a religious exemption. They should feel empowered to speak up, because the animals cannot.

Learn more about the other 2024 Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship winners.