Lewis & Clark Law School has been a leader in animal law since the early 1990s and currently houses the most extensive animal law offerings in the world.
The nation's first Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapter was established by L&C students in 1993. The group formed to host the animal law conference, now an annual event in its 15th year. The group also published the Animal Law Review beginning in 1995. The review has grown to be a separate student organization, and is currently publishing the thirteenth volume. While there are now more than one hundred SALDF chapters, the L&C SALDF continues to be one of the largest and most active student animal law organizations.
Lewis & Clark offered its first animal law class as a summer course taught by Gary Francione. Pamela Frasch, Director of ALDF's Anti-Cruelty Division, began teaching an overview course in the 1998-99 school year, and in 2002 she also began teaching an animal law seminar. Anyone with a college degree may participate in the animal law summer program featuring two courses taught by Steven Wise, Jonathan Lovvorn and Nancy Perry. Lewis & Clark students may also earn credit by taking the Environmental and Animal Law Moot Court course, a year-long Animal Law Clinic, and a number of animal law-related courses including wildlife law, the Endangered Species Act seminar, and international environmental law.
The National Center for Animal Law was established in 2001 in order to build a model program in animal law and provides programs, trainings and resources for all animal law students.
NCAL is working with L&C to provide an Animal Law Certificate and an Animal Law LL.M program. Currently, animal law offerings are part of the Environmental Law & Natural Resources Program and students may earn certificates or LL.M. degrees in Environmental Law with Specializations in Animal Law. Lewis & Clark offers animal law scholarships and awards for students who have a demonstrated commitment to practicing animal law.
Please join us! You may contact L&C admissions to learn more about the application process and requirements.
