Spotlight: Olivia Villamagna

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

We hosted a week-long Justice for Animals Week event calendar with a speaker from FarmSTAND, a pet supplies drive for Anti-Cruelty in Downtown Chicago, and held an Action Event where students could come learn about two bills (one in the US House and one in the IL House) and send a pre-written email (by the SALDF chapter) to their representative to ask them to support the bills.

Any other noteworthy experience?

Stemming from the FarmSTAND speaker’s presentation, a group of SALDF and Labor & Employment Law students wrote and submitted two public comments in response to the proposed USDA-FSIS Line Speed amendment to the corresponding federal regulations.

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

This year I plan to continue to work on my Student Note that was selected to be published in the Chicago-Kent Law Review Journal (“When Morals “Meat” Markets: Cultivated Meat and the Dormant Commerce Clause After Ross”). I would also like to explore animal authorship in copyright more and submit my paper to the NY Bar Association writing competition. Finally, I plan to continue to have SALDF events with other student law organizations!

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?

After graduation, I plan to work in intellectual property litigation to build a strong foundation of litigation skills. During that time, however, I plan to work with ALDF and other organizations offering animal law pro bono opportunities, so I can start helping animals through the law as soon as I am a licensed attorney!  

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

Every school is different, so every chapter is different! While it might be tempting to compare your chapter’s activities and attendance to others, it’s best to find what works for your school community. My school does not have much animal law, so what I have found works best is partnering with other student organizations and discussing a topic that affects both animal law and that organization’s area of law. I have learned a lot about other areas along the way!

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