CENTER FOR ANIMAL LAW STUDIES

at Lewis & Clark, in collaboration with the

ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

* Please note that this website is still under construction. Not all links or pages may function at this time. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Welcome to the website for the Center for Animal Law Studies. We are pleased to announce the launch of the Center and introduce you to its work. Here at the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, there is a long and rich tradition of Animal Law. See Tradition of Animal Law. Lewis & Clark Law School has led American law schools in developing this emerging field for sixteen years, most recently through the notable efforts of the National Center for Animal Law. Now with the creation of the Center for Animal Law Studies, we hope to build on the tremendous work already done, further advance the field of Animal Law, and prepare students to become leaders and advocates.

Mission Statement

The Center for Animal Law Studies is an academic and scholarly Animal Law program dedicated to:
1) Training future leaders for careers in Animal Law and public policy;
2) Conducting high-quality, independent legal research that advances the field of Animal Law;
3) Developing innovative recommendations and legal strategies relating to Animal Law within administrative, legislative, litigation and other settings;
4) Creating a scholarly environment where students, regardless of particular point of view, feel included and respected; and
5) Ensuring that the interests of animals are always considered as the field develops.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Animal Law?
Animal Law is a developing area of law encompassing any and all legal matters relating to animals, much in the same way that Environmental Law encompasses a broad range of issues. One of the main goals of the Center for Animal Law Studies is to develop this field of legal study and to ensure inclusion of thoughtful and rigorous dialogue and analysis.

What is the Center for Animal Law Studies?
The Center is both a think tank and training ground for students interested in the broad spectrum that is Animal Law. Many of our students choose Lewis & Clark Law School specifically to become animal protection or animal rights lawyers, but all points of view are welcomed. We strongly believe that our students will be better lawyers if they are exposed to, and required to, analyze and understand opposing points of view.

Is the Center for Animal Law Studies an Animal Rights Organization?
The Center is not an advocacy organization per se. The defining aspect, of all of our work, however, is the consideration of the interests of animals. For example, the Animal Law Litigation Clinic is dedicated to tackling legal cases with the goal of better protecting animals from the worst abuses. In that sense, the Center is animal protection oriented.

How is the Center for Animal Law Studies unique from other programs or organizations?
The Center is the only legal and academic think tank and training program in the world for students interested in Animal Law.