Spotlight: Shelby White

Shelby White 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.

Shelby is a rising 3L at Colorado Law where she serves as the Secretary for Colorado’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter. From a young age, she has been an advocate for animal rights, and she looks forward to using her law degree to protect animals from harm. She is particularly interested in pet and farmed animal law but just about every field of animal law intrigues her.

What Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter activities are you proudest of and why?
When I arrived at Colorado Law, we didn’t have an Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter. A small group of interested 1Ls made it happen. That same year, we won ALDF’s Student Chapter of the Year award. I take immense pride in how we’ve succeeded in putting animal law on the map at our school. Through concerted efforts, we’ve not only recruited a significant number of students to join our chapter, but also engaged in impactful activities such as writing public comments, sending pro-animal postcards to voters, volunteering for animal law organizations, hosting guest speakers, and advocating for the introduction of animal law courses within our curriculum. These endeavors have helped raise awareness for animal law and actively contributed to the advancement of animal welfare within our community. We’ve come a long way in a short amount of time.

Any other noteworthy experience?
This year, CLALDF had the privilege of collaborating with our school’s Environmental Law Society on various legislative drafting projects. Serving as the team leader for a group focused on pitching a bill akin to California’s Prop 12 in Colorado has been particularly noteworthy. This proposed legislation aims to enhance living conditions for agricultural animals—a cause I’m deeply passionate about. While Colorado has previously rejected a similar bill in the past, we’re hoping that California’s recent success and our dedication to this proposed bill will lead to a favorable outcome this time around. It has been rewarding working with like-minded students who are determined to effect positive change in our state’s animal welfare laws.

What is an animal law related goal of yours for the upcoming academic year?
First, I would love to secure an animal law externship for the fall semester. I will be graduating in December so this year will be short and sweet but I hope to find an animal law job shortly after taking the Bar Exam in February. Second, CLALDF members and I will continue working with our administration and advocating for the expansion of animal law opportunities at Colorado Law. We would love it if our school could offer an animal law clinic in the near future. Lastly, we’re working to ensure that our student chapter does not dissolve once our class graduates.

What are your plans/goals for post-graduation?
Post-graduation, my goal is to use my degree to continue advocating for animal rights. While I have a strong foundation in pet law, I am eager to explore other facets of animal advocacy—particularly in the realm of farmed animal welfare. Whether I end up at a law firm, at a non-profit organization, or working for the government, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of animals and advancing their rights.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to pass on to other Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter leaders?
My advice to fellow ALDF student chapter leaders is to prioritize collaboration and outreach. Recruit 1Ls, engage your classmates, introduce them to animal law, and encourage their involvement in chapter activities. I would also encourage leaders to reach out to local animal welfare organizations and offer your support through volunteering. Collectively amplify your voices for the betterment of animal welfare. There is strength in numbers and the more people we can get on our side, the louder our voices will be. Growing this field will make our job easier and will result in more animal lives saved.

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