Christian Suarez

As a Litigation Fellow, Christian works on developing and active cases that advance the interests of animals and hold government agencies and industry actors accountable for failing to protect them. Christian is particularly interested in cutting edge cases that work to elevate the status of animals beyond property and achieve legal recognition of their sentience and dignity. He is also passionate about exploring the intersections of tribal law and animal law with an aim at decolonizing the current status of animals within Western legal systems, which underlies their exploitation.

Christian holds a B.A. in Animal Studies and French and Francophone Studies from Brown University. Inspired by his experience as an animal care intern at a farm sanctuary, he wrote his honors thesis on the spiritual and countercultural implications of providing sanctuary to rescued farm animals. He obtained his J.D. from UCLA School of Law with a specialization in Public Interest Law and Policy and served as Co-President of the Animal Law Society. His article “Decolonizing Captivity: ‘Repatriation and Reconciliation’ for Corky the Orca” won first place in the NY State Bar Association’s Committee on Animals and the Law Student Writing Competition. During law school he was an intern with Mercy For Animals and Animal Outlook, and first joined ALDF as a summer clerk in 2022.

Outside of work, Christian enjoys exploring hiking spots in the Bay Area, watching foreign and arthouse cinema, and spending time with his family pets—two poodles, a cat, a guinea pig, a cockatiel, and a horse.

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