


Legal Education
Working with law students and law professionals to advance the field of animal law
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works closely with law students and law professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law. Moving toward the day when animal law is part of the curriculum at each and every law school, the Animal Law Program collaborates with students, faculty, and school administrations to facilitate the development of animal law courses and assists students in forming Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters.
Visit our student chapters page, or signup to join as a law student member today!
In 2008, the Animal Legal Defense Fund launched the Center for Animal Law Studies, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Lewis & Clark Law School. As an academic and practical forum for the burgeoning field of animal law, the Center for Animal Law Studies provides essential programs and services for law students under the guidance of experienced animal law professors and attorneys.
What is “Animal Law”?
Animal law is a combination of statutory and case law in which the nature—legal, social, or biological—of nonhuman animals is an important factor. It encompasses companion animals, wildlife, and animals used in entertainment, research, and raised for food. It permeates and affects most traditional areas of the law—including tort, contract, criminal, trust/estates, family, environmental, administrative, and constitutional law.
Currently, animal law is taught at some of the most reputable and respected law schools in the country—including highly ranked schools such as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Northwestern, University of Michigan and Duke.
Questions? Contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Law Program at alp@aldf.org.
Animal Law Academy’s Webinar Series
The Animal Law Academy webinars are an opportunity to hone your skills and gain both practical and substantive knowledge about important issues currently facing animals in the legal system.
Animal Law Program Team
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Stacey Gordon Sterling
Animal Law Program Director -
Nicole Pallotta
Senior Policy Program Manager -
Kelly Levenda
Senior Student Programs Attorney -
Priscilla Rader Culp
Education Program Manager
Related News
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France to End Mink Farming, Use of Wild Animals in Traveling Circuses, and Captivity of Orcas and Dolphins in Marine Parks
As part of a broad package of animal protection measures, France has banned the farming of mink for their fur, captivity of dolphins and orcas in marine parks, and the use of wild animals in traveling circuses. Also included are new standards to improve the well-being of some species of animals held in zoos.December 28, 2020 Animal Law Update -
Czech Republic Bans Cages for Hens
On November 13, 2020, the Czech Parliament approved a ban on the use of cages to confine hens used for their eggs or for breeding. Following final approval by President Miloš Zemanh, the new law will become effective in 2027 after a 7-year phase-in period and affect approximately 4.5 million hens per year.December 28, 2020 Animal Law Update -
Congratulations to the 2020 Student Chapters of the Year!
These awards celebrate chapters that have shown incredible efforts in advancing animal law and advocating for animals through original projects and initiatives. Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters are a vital part of the growing animal law movement.November 6, 2020 News