


Litigation
Filing High Impact Lawsuits that Expand the Protections for Animals Under the Law
The Litigation Program files high-impact lawsuits against individuals and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos. We litigate cases in state and federal courts with the goal of stopping abusive practices and setting ground-breaking precedent that will establish justice for animals in the legal system. In addition to suing animal abusers, we often sue state and federal governments and agencies to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals; and we intervene in litigation to defend animal protection laws when they are under siege from industries that abuse animals.
Featured Cases

Justice the Horse Sues Abuser

Challenging Fairlife’s Deceptive Marketing Practices
Recent Victories

Challenging Kansas’s Ag-Gag Law

Challenging Cricket Hollow Zoo’s Treatment of Animals (2018)

Challenging Backyard Butchers in Florida

Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Litigation Program Team
See bar admissions of our attorneys.
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Anthony Eliseuson
Litigation Program Director -
Alene Anello
Staff Attorney -
Alexandra Monson
Litigation Fellow -
Amanda Howell
Senior Staff Attorney -
Ariel Flint
Staff Attorney -
Caitlin Foley
Staff Attorney -
Chris Berry
Managing Attorney -
Christine Ball-Blakely
Staff Attorney -
Cristina Kladis
Litigation Fellow -
Cristina Stella
Managing Attorney -
Daniel Waltz
Senior Staff Attorney -
Emma McCapes
Litigation Program Administrative Assistant -
Isabel Callejo-Brighton
Litigation Fellow -
Kelsey Eberly
Senior Staff Attorney -
Larissa Liebmann
Staff Attorney
Related News
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Wisconsin Roadside Zoo Owner and Manager Banned from Possessing and Working with Animals
The court’s decision ensures Special Memories Zoo is permanently closed following Animal Legal Defense Fund lawsuitJanuary 15, 2021 Press Release -
Animal Exploiter: Robert Sawmiller
For years, captive wild animals have suffered in the care of traveling zoo operator Robert Sawmiller. On December 9, 2020 two wolves and a Labrador named Fancy were rescued and transported to sanctuary through legal action brought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. -
Animals Rescued and Removed from Wildlife Trafficker and Exhibitor
The Animal Legal Defense Fund — with the assistance of local counsel named Taylor Waters, U.S. Marshals, and the Auglaize County Sheriffs Office — executed a court order, seizing three animals from infamous wild and domestic animal breeder and broker Robert Sawmiller near Wapakoneta, Ohio.December 9, 2020 Press Release