CALS NEWSLETTER | Fall 2023 | Practice Source - Legal News and Views

We hope you are well as we navigate our way through the final months of 2023. We’ve had an exciting fall semester so far, and we’re delighted to share some key highlights with you.

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) has numerous achievements to celebrate. This includes the success of our 31st annual Animal Law Conference, the launch of the world’s first animal law doctoral program, the array of diverse courses our students are engaged with this semester, and the impressive recent accomplishments of our alumni, faculty and staff. We’re also delighted to share that the application window for the 2024-25 academic year is now open for both in-person and online study, with robust scholarship opportunities available, including LLM Fellowship opportunities provided through the generosity of the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy.

As always, we are grateful to each one of you for your commitment to recognizing and supporting the vital role that the law and education play in advancing animal protection around the world.

For the animals,

Pamela D. Byce
Assistant Dean and Executive Director
Center for Animal Law Studies

The 31st Annual Animal Law Conference

From October 20-22nd, over 325 animal law attorneys, advocates, scholars, and students joined together in Los Angeles, California, and virtually for the 31st annual Animal Law Conference. With over thirty panelists covering a wide breadth of captivating topics in animal advocacy—from wildlife to farmed animal law, to even tribal, insect, and artificial intelligence law—attendees gained insight into recent innovations in the field and inspiration to continue the fight for animal justice. Read our blog to learn more. And mark your calendars to join us October 11-13th in Portland, Oregon, or virtually, for our 32nd annual event, co-hosted with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

The World’s First
Animal Law Doctoral Program

Last month we announced the official launch of the world’s first Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) program in Animal Law. We’re now welcoming applications for Fall 2024 for our inaugural cohort!

The equivalent of a PhD in legal education, the animal law SJD at Lewis & Clark Law School is designed to equip LLM degree holders with the advanced research skills, program structure, academic, and experiential opportunities necessary to become the next thought-leaders, educators, and scholars who will shape animal law and public policy. Visit this link to learn more and to apply by February 1, 2024.

Animal Law Coursework | Fall Semester

We kicked off the fall semester in late August. Our animal law curriculum at CALS is unparalleled as we offer at least 18 distinct courses every academic year. JD and advanced degree animal law students are enjoying the following courses:

Congratulations Hira!

Please join us in congratulating our Animal Law Teaching Fellow and Animal Law LLM alumna, Hira Jaleel (LLM ‘20, Pakistan), for being recognized by the New York University Wild Animal Welfare Program for her article on big cat ownership in Pakistan published in the University of Louisville Journal of Animal and Environmental Law. The Article analyzes Pakistan’s existing legal scheme around exotic big cat ownership and proposes legislative solutions. You can read it at this link.

Featuring Yvonne Gurira | CALS Ambassador

This summer we announced our third round of CALS Ambassadors and their projects to advance animal protection and animal law. We’re delighted to now feature the work of our first ambassador, Yvonne Gurira (LLM ‘22, Zimbabwe).

Yvonne is an Zimbabwean attorney with extensive experience in criminal law, and the recipient of our Outstanding Animal Law LLM Graduate Award for 2022. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Animal Advocates International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the well-being and legal protection of animals in Zimbabwe. Yvonne is particularly passionate about advancing protections for farmed animals. As she explains: “In light of the need to raise awareness about farmed animals protections, I have dedicated my Global Ambassador Project to conducting outreach programs in six different communities. By educating critical stakeholders, such as farmers, government officials, and workers on the laws that impact animals, my efforts are helping to alleviate the suffering of animals and enhancing their interests.” Learn about Yvonne’s Global Ambassador Project here.

Join the Next Generation

We’re accepting applications for admission for Animal Law LLM (for lawyers) and MSL (for non-lawyers) students to start fall of 2024 for study on campus in Portland, Oregon, or in our online program. All applicants are considered for scholarship support. We are also excited to offer up to three LLM Fellowships for in-person study, including a full-tuition scholarship and generous living stipend through the generosity of The Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy. To learn more about our advanced degree programs and to apply, visit our website. The deadline to apply for our in person program is February 1, 2024. The deadline for our online program is May 19, 2024.