Highlights & Reflections

The Art of Animal Advocacy: Using Litigation, Legislation & Science to Advocate for Animals showcased the growing sophistication of the animal law movement by highlighting how strategic litigation, policy reform, and scientific evidence can work together to advance meaningful protections for animals. Held at Lewis & Clark Law School and surrounding venues, the conference brought together attorneys, advocates, scholars, and students committed to strengthening animal advocacy across legal systems.

The conference opened on Friday with sessions focused on protecting wildlife through science-based legal strategies, combating confined animal feeding operations, challenging animal research practices, and addressing evolving legal standards for captive exotic animals. These early discussions emphasized the importance of grounding advocacy in both sound science and creative legal theory. The evening concluded with a reception and auction that fostered community building among attendees.

Saturday’s programming explored the full range of advocacy tools available to animal lawyers. Panels examined local and state protections for animals, preemption challenges to humane ordinances, advancing standards for companion animals and farmed animals, and strengthening international wildlife protections. Additional sessions addressed political advocacy through lobbying, voting blocs, and ballot initiatives, as well as emergency animal rescue efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The day concluded with a banquet and keynote address by Jonathan Lovvorn of The Humane Society of the United States, underscoring the power of litigation as a catalyst for systemic change.

On Sunday, the conference shifted to professional development and movement-building. Breakout sessions focused on careers in animal law, integrating animal law into legal practice, building and sustaining law student organizations, developing state and local bar sections, and effective lobbying training. These workshops equipped attendees with practical tools to expand the reach and durability of animal advocacy nationwide.

The Art of Animal Advocacy highlighted a defining moment in the animal law movement—one in which advocates increasingly embraced a multifaceted approach, combining law, science, and grassroots political engagement to create lasting protections for animals.