FAQs
Do I need to be vaccinated and/or wear a mask to attend the conference?
To ensure the health and safety of attendees, speakers, and staff, conference organizers recommend the following precautions:
- Do not attend the conference if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and leave the conference if you develop such symptoms.
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. A limited number of masks will be available upon request for attendees.
- Review and implement the current CDC guidance for protecting yourself from COVID-19.
Will the conference be live streamed and/or recorded?
The entire conference will be livestreamed via our virtual event platform, except for the Friday Welcome Reception. Access information will be provided to virtual registrants within your confirmation email. Registrants will receive access to all sessions live and on-demand after the conference.
The sessions will be recorded and posted to the Animal Law Conference YouTube channel after the conference. Subscribe to the YouTube channel to be notified when new videos are posted.
Will there be vegan food options available at the conference?
All meals, snacks, and drinks at the conference will be vegan/plant-based. We will also have gluten-free options available at all meals.
What is the dress code?
We don’t uphold a strict dress code for the conference, but most attendees choose to dress in business or business casual.
Can I bring a guest to the Saturday Banquet Dinner?
If you are attending the conference in-person and would like to bring a guest to the Saturday Banquet Dinner, you must purchase a ticket for your guest. Please contact events@aldf.org for more information.
Does the conference have an anti-harassment policy?
Yes, the conference does have an anti-harassment policy which must be followed by all attendees and speakers.
What we expect
The Animal Law Conference (ALC) has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: race, color, ethnicity, na onal origin, gender, gender iden ty or expression, sexual orienta on, age, disability, appearance, religion, immigra on status, pregnancy, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, and apparel or food choices. Harassment includes but is not limited to: stalking, verbal or physical inmida on, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or ba ery, harassing or non-consensual photography or recording, disrup on of talks or other events, shaming or ridicule, bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical a en on. Any conference par cipant who is asked to refrain from harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately. Anyone who does not comply will be asked to leave.
We get it
ALC recognizes that somemes topics and issues that are covered at this event may, by their nature, include exposure to controversial, provoca ve, and challenging ideas. Therefore, harassment generally does not include respec ul disagreement or good faith cri cism. However, to the extent discourse rises to the level of harassment as described in the paragraphs above, it will not be tolerated.
Everyone and everything is covered
This policy extends to all conference par cipants including sponsors, vendors, independent contractors, event a endees, presenters, speakers, and seminar workshop par cipants. This policy covers all events listed on the ALC agenda.
Keep in mind
This conference includes many law student attendees. Nonstudent attendees should be particularly aware of the power dynamics that may exist between themselves and students and should take special care to ensure that less experienced attendees enjoy a harassment-free conference and are treated respectfully. If a student approaches or agrees to socialize with a nonstudent attendee, nonstudent attendees are encouraged to maintain their interactions in the spirit of mentorship.
Understand the consequences
ALC reserves the right to revoke, without refund, registration of any attendee or participant not in compliance with this policy; the right to remove from an event, seminar, or workshop anyone not in compliance with this policy; the right to revoke a speaker invitation; the right to cancel a contract with a sponsor, vendor, or contractor that is not in compliance with this policy; as well as the right to ban participation in any future ALC events.
How to report
Any sponsor, vendor, independent contractor, speaker, attendee, or anyone else affiliated with the ALC who believes they have witnessed or been subjected to prohibited harassment or discrimination should report it immediately to the ALC Conference Manager Anne Marie Vastano in person, by email at avastano@aldf.org, or phone at (707) 795-2533 x 1059.
The legal stuff
This policy should not be construed as creating any duty, obligation, or liability on the part of ALC. It is simply intended to inform all participants and attendees of our expectations that their behavior complies with this policy.
Does the conference have a DE&I policy?
Yes, the conference does have a DE&I policy which must be followed by all attendees and speakers.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School recognize that systemic racism, discrimination, and bias exist in our society and can manifest in many fora, including conference settings. As co-hosts of the Animal Law Conference, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that values and respects all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic. In addition to being committed to actively dismantling these systems of oppression in order to create a welcoming environment for all, we hold diversity, equity, and inclusion to be critical to achieving our respective missions to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system and to educate the next generation of animal advocates.
Does the conference have a sustainability policy?
Yes, the conference does have a sustainability policy.
In an effort to make our event more sustainable, the Animal Law Conference Planning Committee has implemented a variety of practices to minimize our impact on the environment. By implementing these practices, we hope to minimize the actual harm done to all animals and their/our environment and to demonstrate & promote the availability and utility of cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly products and services.
Our efforts include the following:
Food & Beverage
- All food & beverage items served at the event are 100% plant-based.
- We do not offer single-use plates, utensils or cups, i.e. plastic water bottles, paper plates, etc. at the event. Instead, water stations are available in common areas and reusable dishes, cups and utensils are used to serve meals and refreshments.
- We work with caterers that compost food scraps and donate all excess edible food to local food donation programs.
Merchandise & Materials
- We do not offer printed materials or hard copies of the conference agenda. Instead, all materials and the agenda are available on our mobile event app and on the conference website.
- Digital event signage is used when available otherwise event signage is made with recyclable and/or eco-friendly materials, whenever possible. All signage produced for the conference is designed for reuse at future conferences.
- Conference merchandise is sourced from non-sweatshop suppliers and eco-friendly and/or recyclable materials are selected, whenever available.
Waste Management
- We work with venues to ensure that recycling and composting is available to attendees at the event and that waste is properly sorted and disposed of.
Transportation
- The conference venue and hotels are selected in close proximity to public transportation, to minimize emissions.
Shipping
- All conference materials are transported by shipping companies that are SmartWay certified.
What You Can Do
- Bring a reusable water bottle or coffee cup to the conference for use at one of our beverage stations.
- Use public transportation or ride-share to travel to the conference.
- Download the conference mobile app to access the conference agenda and other program content.
- Make sure you are disposing of waste in the appropriate bins.
How can I offset emissions of my flight?
Flights are a major contributor to greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂). The fuel burned during flights contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere. A carbon offset is a credit for emissions reductions, and buying offsets helps individuals consider the environmental costs of air travel.
Atmosfair is a good resource for calculating the CO₂ impact of your air travel, allowing you to choose your departure and arrival airports, aircraft type, and more. The offset costs are invested in renewable energy projects curated by Gold Standard, an organization founded by the WWF and other NGOs to ensure carbon emissions reduction projects maintain the highest levels of environmental integrity and contribute to sustainable development. Carbon offsets are calculated in Euros on the Atmosfair site, but you can use an online currency converter to check the price in USD or other currencies.
Will Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits be offered?
The conference will be approved for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits pending approval by a state bar association. Most states accept credits from other mandatory CLE states, but please check with your local bar association to confirm. Anyone seeking CLE credits should submit approval paperwork to their local bar association and retain the certificate of attendance which will be provided to attorneys who register for the conference.
Where do I find written materials for CLE participants?
Materials submitted by the speakers will be posted on the conference website and on the virtual event platform a few weeks prior to the conference. PowerPoint presentations will also be posted after the conference, pending approval by individual presenters. We will not provide printouts of written materials.
Will the conference content be appropriate for all audiences?
Conference presenters are asked to include an audience warning before showing graphic content in their presentations. Given the nature of the subject matter, however, it’s reasonable to assume that some presentations will contain content which may be upsetting, e.g. photo or video evidence that depicts animal cruelty. Attendees may choose to look away or leave the room during these moments if they would prefer not to see this type of content. Younger attendees may register at the discretion of their parent or guardian.
I registered for the conference but am no longer able to attend. What is the refund policy?
Refunds are available until October 12, 2025. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact events@aldf.org.
Is the venue ADA accessible and/or can my special accommodation request be fulfilled?
Yes, the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is ADA accessible. Please contact events@aldf.org to request accommodation. See more information here.
Are companion animals allowed at the conference?
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk welcomes companion animals. The hotel allows a maximum of two companion animals to stay overnight for an additional fee. Companion animals must be accompanied at all times and may not be left alone in your guest room. For more information visit the hotel website here.
I am a law student and can’t afford to travel to the conference. What can I do?
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a limited number of travel grants for members of our student chapters. You can find the travel grant application here. Livestream tickets are also available for those who prefer to attend the conference virtually.
How can I sponsor the Animal Law Conference?
Sponsorship information is available here.
