The conference will kick off with an evening reception. We invite you to enjoy appetizers and drinks while networking with fellow conference attendees.

Welcome & Introductions

Jaclyn Leeds, SALDF co-director; symposium editor, Animal Law Review; conference board member, Lewis & Clark Law School

Pamela Frasch, assistant dean, Animal Law Program; executive director, Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School

Joyce Tischler, founder and general counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Kick off the conference with an exciting, interactive session exploring some of the most challenging ethical dilemmas animal law attorneys face in both practice and volunteer positions. Animal law expert Russ Mead and ethics professor Jeffrey Jones will lead attendees through a series of hypothetical scenarios which will examine difficult situations and how to handle them effectively while adhering to the Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Attendees will receive Oregon ethics CLE credits for this session.

The SALDF breakfast allows students from around the county who are interested in animal law to meet, share ideas and information, and build stronger SALDF programs over coffee and vegan baked goods.

*Continental breakfast available in the lower level of Wood Hall at Lewis & Clark Law School

Ag-gag bills are popping up all over the country and the momentum behind them does not show signs of slowing down. Video footage of factory farms can be a valuable tool for animal advocates but often ag-gag laws criminalize such videos. This panel will give a status report of ag-gag laws and pending bills around the country and discuss legal challenges and grassroots solutions.

This panel will discuss how working with instead of against animal industry and regulatory agencies may bring about improvements to animal welfare. Come learn about these exciting new strategies and what they mean for the future of animal law.

Paul Littlefair’s presentation will provide an update on developments in China since he spoke at the 2008 Conference, One Earth: Globalism & Animal Law. It will include a brief reference to animal law in other East Asian jurisdictions for comparison and then will move on to discuss the impact of high profile incidences of animal cruelty on China’s rapidly evolving animal protection debate. The changing status of dogs and certain wildlife issues ”“ fur, shark-finning ”“ have been most significant in contributing to the momentum for legislation. We gain an insight into the pace and direction of this debate from China’s vast digital media, which have played a crucial role in both publicizing abuse and galvanizing the increasingly organized domestic animal protection community. Although law remains at the draft stage and challenging obstacles remain, there are broad indications that the end may be in sight for this ”˜long march’.

This panel will address criminal and civil remedies to the harms of domestic violence, including how proponents of each can more effectively work together to provide an umbrella approach to protect human and animal victims. Panelists will discuss current ways that prosecutors and domestic violence advocates work together, future potential for collaboration, and challenges facing each approach.

Introduction by Kathy Hessler, director and clinical professor of law, Lewis & Clark Law School

Join the chicks of Our Hen House, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan, for this interactive workshop — back by popular demand from last year’s conference — covering the many ways we can each effectively change the world for animals. Our Hen House, named by VegNews Magazine as the Indie Media Powerhouse, is a multimedia hub of opportunities to mainstream the movement to end animal exploitation. Jasmin and Mariann, the founders — and the hosts of the popular Our Hen House podcast — will brainstorm ideas on how each person can make their own unique contribution to building a new world free of animal exploitation, and how each of us can best use our own particular skills, talents and experience in this quest. In this energetic workshop with animal law professor Mariann, and writer Jasmin, ideas for turning thought into action, and action into real change, will be exchanged and discussed. Be prepared to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and, ultimately, to leave feeling invigorated to change the world for animals.

This panel will discuss the latest developments in both state and federal legislation and will also highlight recent animal law litigation of particular interest to the movement.

Should animal rights activists compromise deeply held positions to achieve more limited goals in cooperation with the very industries they seek to change? Is the movement being co-opted by forces seeking to neutralize its effectiveness or is compromise the only way to bring about change?

These nationally recognized experts will shed light on the current pressing issues surrounding the wildlife law movement, the overlapping concerns of the environmental and animal law movement, and will explain how both movements can learn from one another to advance their respective goals.

Introductions and welcome

Jaclyn Leeds, SALDF co-director; symposium editor, Animal Law Review; conference board member, Lewis & Clark Law School

Pamela Frasch, assistant dean, Animal Law Program; executive director, Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School

Robert Klonoff, dean and professor of law, Lewis & Clark Law School

Taylor Duty, SALDF outreach chair; conference board member; associate editor, Animal Law Review, Lewis & Clark Law School

*Book Signing of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Sexual Politics of Meat to follow Keynote Presentation

Renowned physician, Dr. Michael Greger, will discuss nutrition and how intensive animal agriculture wreaks havoc on animals, the environment and our health. Robert Cheeke, best-selling author and two-time natural bodybuilding champion, will talk about his transition to a vegan lifestyle and will explain how vegan nutrition enhances health and athletic performance.

This panel brings together newcomers to the animal law field who are doing exciting and important work. Alexis Fox oversees all of HSUS’ legislative and lobbying efforts in Massachusetts and is a 2009 graduate of Lewis and Clark Law School. Jessica Johnson is the grassroots advocacy manager at the ASPCA, where she works on increasing grassroots participation in animal protection initiatives, and is a 2011 graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School. Join these two “new voices” as they explain their paths to success from law school to their respective careers in animal law.

As ethical questions arise about intensive farming practices, society and producers have been struggling with the definition and feasibility of “sustainable meat.” Hear a range of perspectives from industry representative Dennis Treacy, to local farm promoter Kendra Kimbirauskas, to Farm Sanctuary senior director and vegan Bruce Friedrich, as they attempt to answer pressing questions about the ethics and viability of meat for future generations.

From Whale Wars to international negotiations, this panel will discuss the variety of ways advocates can help marine mammals. Kim McCoy has held positions as the quartermaster and international executive director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has advocated for animals through her work with Shark Angels and is the new executive director of One World One Ocean Foundation. Chris Wold will offer an international perspective on this controversial aspect of wildlife law, sharing his expertise in international environmental law and marine law.

Difficult strategic decisions need to be made when bringing creative lawsuits to benefit animals. This panel will address the legal foundations for the “Tilikum” case and explore the strategic decision-making involved in filing this case that asked for protection against and direct recognition of the harm suffered by the orcas at SeaWorld. This is juxtaposed with cases where courts are asked to address the harm suffered by humans who feel injured by harm to animals.

Law professor and food activist Pamela Vesilind joins clean water lawyer and activist Martha Noble to examine the impact that government subsidies have on food access and awareness throughout the United States. This panel will provide an overview of agricultural subsidization and dissect the legal and policy implications.

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) became a federal law on November 27, 2006, through procedures typically used to expedite the passage of non-controversial bills. It criminalizes any conduct or speech that is intended to damage or interfere with the operations of an animal enterprise. It covers acts that cause actual damage or that place a person in reasonable fear of injury, as well as acts that cause no harm or damage. For those individuals whose conduct may be lawful, they, nonetheless, may be liable for any unlawful acts by unknown actors. Odette Wilkens and Lauren Regan will discuss the effect this bill has had on the civil liberties of animal rights activists.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), breed bans, and landlord-tenant law all play a substantial role in determining whether a person is able to live with particular companion animals. Ledy VanKavage has a long history of advocating for companion animals and will discuss the impact that breed bans have on animal guardians and the recent victory the movement received in the “Saks” case.

Speakers from a variety of professional backgrounds will present ideas about how to build animal law into your career after law school. The format for this session will be “round-table,” with presenters sharing their personal experiences yet also allowing plenty of time for audience questions and comments. Bring your ideas!