Just as animal laws sweep across wide practice areas and regions, so do the lawyers who practice animal law. The majority of animal law practitioners are in private practice, work for government agencies or for advocacy organizations, or take cases on a pro bono basis. One may also become involved with the field through teaching, writing, and leadership positions with local, state, and national bar committees.
Practice areas include:
Criminal Law
Defending activists
Prosecuting animal abuse/neglect
Administrative Law
Open Government/FOIA
Working with or challenging state or federal agencies' rules and regulations
Tort law
Veterinary Malpractice
Civil side of criminal cases
Recovery of loss of companionship or emotional distress damages
Personal Injury Cases
Employment Torts
Contracts
Pet insurance
Puppy Lemon Laws
False Advertising
Property
Zoning
Nuisance barking
Hoarding
Landlord/tenant
Estate Planning for Animals
Constitutional Law
Free speech for activists
Hunter harassment
Standing
Civil rights for vegans/vegetarians
Family Law
Prenuptual agreements
Visitation rights
Guardianship
Custody disputes
Environmental Law
Wildlife Law
Water Law
Land Use
Ocean and Coastal Law
Non-profit law
International Law/Treaties
Americans with Disabilities Act
Housing
Access
Discrimination
Professions include:
- Attorney in private law firms, corporations, nonprofits, or government agencies
- Teacher/Professor
- Legislative Advocate as Legislator or Lobbyist
- Consultant to or Board Member of non-profit organizations
- Policy Analyst
- Investigations Officer
- USDA Inspector
- Author/Legal Journalist
- Community Organizer
