Spotlight: Kynsee Fennel

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

The student chapter activity I am most proud of was our very first event. The 2025–2026 school year marked the inaugural year of Washburn University’s SALDF chapter, and we wanted to create an event that would both educate students and generate excitement about the future of the organization. We started on a strong note by partnering with Washburn Law’s Criminal Law Society to host a collaborative Lunch and Learn event featuring four attorneys from across the country with experience in both criminal law and animal law.

 During the event, the attorneys shared their unique career journeys, discussed the intersection between criminal law and animal law, and offered valuable advice for students interested in pursuing careers in these fields. They also highlighted the many ways students can become involved in animal advocacy while in law school and beyond, whether through internships, pro bono opportunities, litigation, policy work, or nonprofit advocacy.

For a first-time event hosted by a brand-new student chapter, we were thrilled with the turnout and level of engagement from students. Attendees asked thoughtful questions, participated in meaningful discussions, and left with a greater understanding of the impact animal law can have on both individuals and communities. Most importantly, the event helped introduce many students to the broad range of opportunities available within animal law and demonstrated that it is a growing and impactful area of legal practice.

This event set the tone for our chapter’s mission moving forward: creating opportunities for education, collaboration, and advocacy while building a strong community of students who are passionate about animal law. Seeing students become excited and inspired after the event made me incredibly proud of what our chapter accomplished in its very first year.

Any other noteworthy experience?

Although not directly affiliated with Washburn’s SALDF chapter, the growing student interest in animal law inspired another accomplishment I am especially proud of. With the support and guidance of my mentor, Katie Barnett, I helped bring Washburn’s first animal law course into the law school curriculum. This marked an important step in establishing a field of law that previously had no formal presence at the school and created a new opportunity for students interested in animal advocacy and related legal issues.

The course received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the students who enrolled and those interested in taking it in the future. As a result, Washburn will offer the course again in Spring 2027, with the hope that it will become a lasting part of the curriculum for years to come.

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

My primary animal law related goal for the upcoming academic year is to increase Washburn’s student attendance at the Animal Law Conference. I attended the October 2025 conference and found it to be an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. In addition to learning from leaders in the field, I had the opportunity to connect with students from ALDF chapters across the country as well as attorneys and advocates already practicing animal law.

Now that our chapter is entering its second year, I hope to build on that momentum by encouraging and supporting more Washburn students in attending the conference. Expanding our chapter’s presence at this event would not only deepen students’ understanding of animal law and related legal issues but also provide meaningful opportunities to build lasting professional connections with practitioners, advocates, and fellow students who share similar interests and goals.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

My passion in animal law is preventing crimes against animals and punishing those who believe they can get away with it. I want to contribute to the field of animal law by becoming a prosecutor handling mainly animal cruelty cases upon graduation. In addition, my time in law school has taught me that I also have a strong interest in legislation, particularly in strengthening criminal animal protection laws. I am often asked whether I plan to relocate to a region with more established opportunities in animal law. While I understand the logic behind that question, my answer remains the same and that is my intent to stay in the Midwest. The need for growth, education, and reform in this area is especially pressing here. I have seen too many instances—both in case law and in practice—where a lack of resources and understanding has allowed acts of animal cruelty to go unnoticed. That reality motivates me. I want to be in the courtroom not only because I am drawn to advocacy, but because I have seen firsthand the gaps that exist and the consequences of leaving them unaddressed. This does not go unnoticed by me, because everyone deserves zealous advocacy, even animals.

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

The biggest piece of advice I would give to other SALDF chapter leaders is to collaborate with other student organizations on campus. Partnering with groups that focus on different areas of law is an excellent way to engage a broader range of students, especially those who may not already be familiar with animal law. These collaborations create opportunities to introduce students to the many intersections between animal law and other legal fields.

Working with other organizations also helps build stronger connections within the law school community, increases attendance and engagement at events, and encourages meaningful discussions across different areas of interest. By creating collaborative and interdisciplinary programming, student chapters can expand awareness of animal law while showing students how relevant and far-reaching the field truly is.

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