Animal law clinic legal efforts earn coverage in The Oregonian
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The legal work and educational offerings of the Center for Animal Law Studies legal clinic were recently featured in an Oregonian column devoted to animal issues. Columnist Monique Balas spoke with Kathy Hessler, law professor and animal law clinic director, about the growing field of animal law and the clinic projects that offer law students valuable hands-on experience in the field.
“Society’s feelings about animals have changed,” Hessler said. “The law’s evolving to reflect that as well.”
Among the projects highlighted in the article is draft legislation to develop a horse licensing system much like those in place for cats and dogs. The proposed legislation was prompted by a high number of animal neglect cases in Oregon involving horses.
Alison Longley JD ’09, who worked at the clinic while attending Lewis & Clark, said she credits obtaining her current job managing campaigns for a local nonprofit to her year with the clinic.
“It was like I got to try out my job before being hired,” she said in the article. “I’ve got my dream job now, and it’s because of the clinic.”
Lewis & Clark Law School has been a leader and pioneer in the field of animal law for nearly two decades. The Lewis & Clark Law School Center for Animal Law Studies, in collaboration with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, is the home for the animal law programs and activities including the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Law Review, the annual Animal Law Conference, the National Animal Law Competition and the Animal Law Clinic.
The Center collaborates with the national nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund to educate and support law students and legal professionals in the rapidly developing field of animal law through classes, conferences, scholarships, and clinical opportunities.
Read the full article: Lewis & Clark Animal Law Clinic pushes for laws on behalf of paws.
