Spotlight: Jeremy Sharp

Jeremy Sharp 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.

Jeremy is a rising 3L at Duke Law and is pursuing both a J.D. and an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law. He spent his 2L year as president of Duke Law’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter and is excited to be serving in the role again next year.

What Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter activities are you proudest of and why?
I am most proud of the Animal Law Symposium I coordinated and moderated this year. It used to be an annual event where law schools all over the Research Triangle came together to highlight local activism and issues in animal welfare, but it hadn’t been organized since 2019. Resurrecting the event was a monumental task, especially with how diminished resources and interest in animal rights had been in our area. Despite this, I’m thrilled to say that the Duke Law chapter was finally able to bring it back. The theme was “North Carolina and Beyond” and was a celebration of non-human animals and their advocates in North Carolina. Attendance exceeded our expectations, and the Symposium served as an excellent platform for many activists and those interested in animal rights to reconnect with or be introduced to each other. It drew attention to many local issues, such as the CAFO pollution in North Carolina’s waterways and the non-human animals, ecosystems, and marginalized groups who suffer from it, as well as other animal-related issues that needed public attention. I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out and organizing it with the support of my amazing chapter will forever be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Any other noteworthy experience?
While I believe every event our chapter has organized or participated in has been spectacular, one of my favorites was the 2023 Animal Law Conference in Los Angeles. Thanks to the generous support of Duke Law, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the late Bob Barker, I was able to lead a small cohort of chapter members to the event. This event introduced us to a number of animal-related issues we were previously unaware of, including issues happening just an hour away from Duke. In addition to the Conference being extremely educational, it was wonderful being able to meet other students and lawyers who are passionate about animal rights and welfare. I highly recommend this event to anyone who can attend!

What is an animal law related goal of yours for the upcoming academic year?
Since the Duke Law chapter is still in its rebuilding phase, my main goal is to make sure our revitalized chapter stays active following my graduation. I’m incredibly excited to work with the new members of our leadership board, and I will be largely focusing on training them to build upon the strong foundation developed this year and connecting them to the broader animal rights community. I do not want them to have to go through the difficult learning and rebuilding process I experienced. Additionally, I intend to organize several events to further bolster our recruitment and expand the presence of animal law at Duke. These events include volunteer days at local animal sanctuaries and our fourth annual Animal Law Symposium, both of which I am currently planning.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?
I plan to remain active as a post-graduate mentor to the Duke Law chapter, just as former chapter Presidents Leigh Markowitz, Rob Hare, and Bailey Frank have been for me. Being part of Duke Law’s ALDF chapter is one of the greatest honors of my life, and I will always be willing to support an organization that has helped me hone my leadership abilities and allowed me to become a better advocate for animals. Wherever my law career takes me, I intend to always support animal rights organizations in some capacity, such as donating to farm animal sanctuaries like the Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, Ziggy’s Refuge, Pearl’s Preserve, Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, Odd Man Inn, Willowbrook, Blueberry Lane, Piggins and Banks, Misfits of Oz, and others (consider donating to them and others if you can!!).

What is one piece of advice that you would like to pass on to other Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter leaders?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and never give up! Reviving the Duke Law chapter was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, especially considering when I became President, I was virtually the only active member. It was difficult to persevere while balancing a dual-degree workload, but by being willing to reach out for assistance, I was able to obtain fantastic support from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the local community, and my classmates. Though it was an uphill battle to restore the Duke Law chapter, I will forever be happy I spent my time not only strengthening animal advocacy at Duke, but developing relationships with some of the most remarkable activists and advocates I’ve ever met as well.

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