Molly Johnson

As Associate General Counsel, Molly provides internal legal advice and operational support to the Animal Legal Defense Fund and its varied programs working to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. Molly previously served as Associate Director of Legal and Regulatory Advocacy at the PETA Foundation, where she advised on a range of issues related to captive wildlife. Her work resulted in enforcement actions and fines against some of the worst roadside zoos and stronger regulatory protections for captive animals.

Before joining the animal rights movement, Molly held several positions in New York State government, including a clerkship with the state’s highest court. She received her J.D. from Cornell Law School and a B.A. in American literature and culture from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In her personal time, Molly enjoys creating new vegan recipes, attempting elaborate baking projects, and teaching herself guitar.