The conference will kick off with an evening reception at the Manhattan Penthouse, near Union Square. We invite you to enjoy appetizers and drinks while networking with fellow conference attendees. The Animal Legal Defense Fund will also present the 2016 Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Awards.

Probably the best known attorney in the animal rights movement, Steven Wise is the President of NHRP, a group whose mission is “to change the legal status of appropriate nonhuman animals from mere ‘things,’ which lack the capacity to possess any legal right, to ‘persons,’ who possess such fundamental rights as bodily integrity and bodily liberty.” Its first lawsuits were filed in 2013 on behalf of four captive chimpanzees in New York State. Wise will address what these lawsuits have accomplished in the court of public opinion, what challenges are looming, and the future of legal rights for nonhuman animals.

Introduction: Stephen Wells, Executive Director, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Book signing in lobby by Steven Wise, President, Nonhuman Rights Project

Factory farming is one of the most significant animal protection issues of our time. The negative effects of this egregious system on the animals, the environment, and human health are similar in all places where factory farming is in place. Our panelists will explain the legal approaches being taken to counter this national (and international) issue.

We will have a 75 minute lunch break for participants to grab a bite to eat in one of the many nearby restaurants or food carts. We recommend consulting our Plant-Based Dining Guide or Happy Cow, for restaurant options in the area. Best Bites of the Big Apple is another great resource for local plant-based dining options.

“Remaking meat is one sector of the food industry that is ripe for innovation and growth.” ~ Bill Gates

One of the most exciting developments in the animal protection movement is the growth of start-up and well-established businesses creating products that replace animal ingredients: plant based meats, and foods made without eggs or dairy. These companies are audacious and, in some cases, well-funded. Hear the latest from this cutting-edge industry.

Book signing in lobby by Steven Wise, President, Nonhuman Rights Project

Currently, more than 2,500 military working dogs (MWDs) serve in the United States Armed Forces. Because of their unique ability to detect life-threatening situations, it is estimated that a MWD may save the lives of 150 to 200 soldiers, resulting in far more soldiers returning home to be reunited with their loved ones. What happens to these dogs after they are no longer useful to the military? This panel will address Robby’s Law, a federal law intended to assure that MWDs are no longer left behind overseas as surplus equipment; the controversy surrounding the application of Robby’s Law; the physical and psychological challenges that retired MWDs face and a recognition of the undeniable bond between military dogs and the human soldiers they served beside.

Book signing in lobby by Steven Wise, President, Nonhuman Rights Project

Aquatic animals are often left out of conversations identifying problems and priorities for animal protection. They are generally excluded entirely from the legal frameworks of protection and regulation upon which advocates for other animals may rely. Additionally, there is too little understanding about the physical, psychological, and emotional capacities of these animals. This is compounded by too little information regarding the animal welfare, environmental, public health, consumer, and worker safety issues associated with aquatic animal production, transportation, slaughter, processing, breeding, testing, use, and exhibition. This panel will address some of the scientific and legal aspects of these matters in order to foster more informed policy development and will explore opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving.

A career in animal law! That’s what’s on everyone’s mind. Whether it be non-profit, governmental, private practice, or corporate employment, these experts will provide the tools and information you need to start your career in animal law.

Kick off the morning 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 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.

The first amendment has an important role in the litigation of animal rights work. Cutting-edge free speech doctrines – ranging from the right to lie, to the right to record and to prohibitions on buffer zones – are at the core of challenges to Ag-Gag laws, food libel laws, and possibly hunter harassment statutes. At the same time, supporters of animal protection often find themselves supporting prosecutions, statutes, and limits on the uses of animals for art that may have free speech implications. In addition to the Free Speech Clause, the Free Exercise Clause and related religious liberty statutes have also been successfully used to challenge the application of animal welfare laws. Just how vulnerable such laws may be to future challenges remains profoundly unclear in light of the Supreme Court’s unsettled religious freedom jurisprudence.

Students, the next generation of animal lawyers and policy makers, are already doing great work exploring cutting edge legal theories as well as considering practical ways to use the law to help animals. For the first time, we are showcasing some of this work. This panel features three authors chosen to present their papers, which were selected by a committee of prominent practicing attorneys from over 30 submissions. These students, as well as those who received honorable mention for their submissions, will have the opportunity to have their papers posted on the conference website. Come and hear their ideas and help shape the conversation as it moves forward.

Papers that received honorable mentions, along with all other materials submitted by conference speakers, are posted on our conference Resources page.

Introductions: Nicole Pallotta, Academic Outreach Manager, Animal Legal Defense Fund

The past decade has marked a significant shift in human perception of wildlife, with many accepting that wildlife ought to be free to live independent of humans. This panel will provide insights into what has worked to make a dent in the status quo for captive animals and what we can expect in the future.

Charges of racism and sexism within the animal protection movement are causing some to question whether it is time for a broad-based internal reflection and hard questions. These experts will explain the problem and explore solutions.

A perennial favorite at the Animal Law Conference, we bring the experts to you. The field of animal law is developing at a blazing speed, and it can be hard to stay on top of the latest, and most important developments. This panel will explore exciting state and federal animal law legislation and litigation that advocates need to know now.

Animal protection issues around the globe have become increasingly complex in recent years. With illegal poaching, intensive farming, and ritualistic killing on the rise, no one can afford to ignore the problems that occur across borders. This panel of experts will reveal the most important, and troubling, trends in animal protection, and discuss the role the United States has played in promoting or curbing those trends. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the challenges facing wild and domesticated animals in select countries, and what they can do to help.