Litigation
Filing High Impact Lawsuits that Expand the Protections for Animals Under the Law
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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
Justice v Gwendolyn Vercher
In 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a groundbreaking lawsuit on behalf of an 8-year-old horse named Justice. If successful, this lawsuit will be the first to establish that animals have a legal right to sue their abusers in court.
Challenging Fairlife’s Deceptive Marketing Practices
Alain Michael v. Fairlife LLC
The Animal Legal Defense Fund joined forces with multiple law firms to bring a class action lawsuit against dairy company Fairlife alleging deceptive marketing practices.
Recent Victories
Challenging Kansas’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund et. al. v. Kelly et. al.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in Kansas challenging the constitutionality of the state’s Ag-Gag law, which makes it a crime to document animal cruelty at factory farms and slaughterhouses.
Challenging Cricket Hollow Zoo’s Treatment of Animals (2018)
Kuehl v. Sellner
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit alleging Cricket Hollow Zoo violates state public nuisance law by routinely mistreating hundreds of animals in violation of Iowa’s animal cruelty laws.
Challenging Backyard Butchers in Florida
Danice Echgelmeier v. Roman Hernandez
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit to shut down four black market backyard slaughter operations outside of Fort Myers, Florida.
Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Chelsea Vancleve v Chien Et Chat, Inc.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against pet store chain Barkworks, on behalf of puppy purchasers harmed by the company’s illegal and deceptive practices in selling puppy mill dogs.
Litigation Program Team
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Matthew Liebman
Director of Litigation -
Alene Anello
Staff Attorney -
Alexandra Monson
Litigation Fellow -
Amanda Howell
Staff Attorney -
Anthony Eliseuson
Senior Staff Attorney -
Ariel Flint
Litigation Fellow -
Caitlin Foley
Staff Attorney -
Chris Berry
Senior Staff Attorney -
Christine Ball-Blakely
Staff Attorney -
Cristina Stella
Senior Staff Attorney -
Daniel Waltz
Staff Attorney -
Emma McCapes
Litigation Program Administrative Assistant -
Gail Evans
Litigation Program Manager -
Kelsey Eberly
Staff Attorney
Related News
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Court Greenlights First Amendment Case Against California Department of Food and Agriculture
The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has denied the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed on behalf of Miyoko’s Creamery (Miyoko’s).June 26, 2020 Press Release -
Pet Store Shuts Down as Lawsuit Continues Against Other Puppy Launderers
The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced that a settlement agreement has been reached with the Animal Kingdom pet store in a high-profile lawsuit over a puppy laundering scheme to unlawfully circumvent the California "retail pet sale ban" — a law that bans the sale of dogs from commercial breeders, commonly called puppy mills.June 17, 2020 Press Release -
Emergency Petition Filed with FDA to Suspend Ractopamine Approval
As the pandemic leads to reduced capacity at slaughterhouses, prolonged use of drug increases risk of harm.June 4, 2020 Press Release
