1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland

Registration, Keynote Presentation, historical exhibits, drinks & hors d’oeuvres.

Guided tours of “Oregon My Oregon” exhibit beginning at 7:15 and 7:30 p.m.

This panel will examine the current status of the use of animals in toxicity testing as well as the implications of the 2007 National Academy of Sciences report which questions its continued viability. Panelists will review the many issues raised when discussing the possibility of major transformations in testing protocol.

This panel will address issues relating to the criminal prosecution of animal cruelty. More specifically, panelists will discuss the many challenges facing prosecutors, including: lack of resources, case overload, the need for increased cooperation between district attorneys and humane investigators, as well as evidentary problems.

“Hot Topics in Animal Law” will highlight current cutting-edge animal law issues. For instance, Ms. Meyer will discuss the first-of-its-kind legal action brought under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act against Ringling Brothers Circus for mistreatment of elephants. The widely debated U.S. v. Stevens case, among others, will also be examined.

Media has become increasingly influential in the field of animal law, specifically with respect to animal cruelty issues. Mr. Jantzen will discuss how the Animal Planet television show, “Animal Cops,” has affected his work as an animal cruelty investigator and how it has allowed him to expose the mainstream population to animal issues. Mr. Mead will outline his experiences working with the media in various settings, including large rescue operations like that necessitated by Hurricane Katrina and the more recent Iowa floods.

This lunchtime session will include an informal presentation and Q&A with equine advocate Valerie Stanley.

This panel session will examine our duty towards animals through the lens of Christianity and The Bible. The panelists will examine various interpretations and changing attitudes about humanity’s dominion over animals and how these different interpretations can lead to animal protection or animal cruelty. They will discuss the ethical implications of our society’s use of animals and what role animal law plays in the “creation care” philosophy.

The panelists will outline how farming has changed in the past century from predominantly small family-owned farms to the prevailing Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) model. They will address the animal cruelty issues that surround this “modern” system and the legal loopholes that attorneys face in their attempts to challenge cruel farming practices. Mr. Wise will present an interesting case study of one particular piece of land in Tar Heel, North Carolina, which has been fraught with a history of pain and tragedy. Mr. Wolfson will discuss his litigation on farm animal cases and his writing about this area of the law.

The “Classic Link” in animal law refers to the strong connection between violence against humans and violence against animals in a domestic setting. Dr. Ascione, the leading authority on this topic, will discuss his extensive research in the field. Ms. Senatori will discuss her perspective as a practicing animal law attorney, a co-founder of a nonprofit that works to counsel victims and foster their animals, as well as her role training veternarians to identify the signs of abuse.

Ed Newcomer and Paul Todd will speak about international regulations relating to the trade of wildlife. The Covention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) will be a main focus along with the illegal internet trade of wildlife items. Panelists will discuss the difficulties in investigating and prosecuting offenders of international wildlife regulations.

The purpose of the Leadership Breakfast is to provide an informal forum for SALDF leaders to discuss upcoming projects and events, network with other law students, and learn the mechanics of creating a successful SALDF chapter.

“Man to Receive Baboon Heart.” “Researchers Implant Human Brain Tissue in Lab Rat.” Such headlines appear increasingly in the news. Questions then arise: How will society and our legal system define “human” as we move further and further into the realm of possibilities brought by modern science’s ability to blend human and animal components? At what point does a being become more human than animal or more animal than human? This panel attempts to answer these difficult and highly philosophical questions.

The panelists will focus their presentations on the debilitating symptoms that burnout and work-overload can create, particularly in those working in the difficult fields of animal law and animal activism. They will share their experiences researching and working with people within the animal protection communities and will examine strategies for coping with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and the like, in order to remain healthy, effective, and productive individuals.

Alter Wiener is one of the very few Holocaust survivors still living in the Portland area. When Alter was liberated by the Russian Army in 1945, he weighed only 80 pounds. After the war he was a very sickly young man, and for many years his most troubling ailment was his inability to digest common staples of food such as meat, dairy products and the like. Medical treatment, different diagnosis and a variety of medications provided little relief. In 1969, Alter became a vegetarian and his heath improved dramatically. Additionally, Alter believes that a vegetarian diet leads people to be more compassionate towards humans and animals alike, creating a peaceful environment for all God’s creatures.

“The Role of Animals in Indigenous Cultures” will examine tribal treaty rights, specifically those related to hunting and fishing, the related jurisprudence, as well as traditional stories and cultural significance of animals. This panel will highlight these issues from an indigenous perspective but will also focus on the competing interests that contribute to conflict surrounding these topics.

The field of animal law is wrought with difficult social justice issues that link animal rights to human rights. Ms. Deckha will discuss the intersectionality and posthumanist visions on equality as they relate to gender, race, and cultural issues. Mr. Hardiman will speak of his experiences developing community outreach programs, such as those addressing dog fighting and other violent crimes in crime-ridden neighborhoods.

This panel will explore where wildlife fits in the balance of anthropogenically induced climate change and our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The panelists will summarize the range of possible implications of climate change and mitigation efforts on animal species and their habitats. Specifically, the panelists will outline various impacts of renewable energy development and the legal mechanisms available to protect animals as well as the legal impediments that forestall reliance on other approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The “Law Student Summit” will provide an opportunity for future lawyers to ask advice from those already established in their animal law careers. Students will receive a rare opportunity to garner knowledge from a wide variety of professionals, which will include a law professor, a nonprofit staff attorney, a state program director, a recent law school graduate, and a program administrator. Additional resources and informational materials will be provided.