My Path to Animal Law

Hi, I'm Jessica Su Johnson, a 2L and Secretary for SALDF here at Lewis & Clark Law School. When I came to Lewis & Clark, I had some idea of what I wanted to do with my law degree, and that didn't include animal law. It was an area of law that I would look longingly at with starry eyes while simultaneously slapping it down with the harsh hand of practicality. Yes, I loved animals and wanted to help them. But to make that a career? Unrealistic.

During my first year, I sought ways to boost my resume and subsequently decided to volunteer as a source-checker for Animal Law Review. In the course of my work on the law review, I read articles about animal law that began the change in how I view the world. Spending time in the animal law suite on campus (where the offices for SALDF and Animal Law Review are located) allowed me to befriend other people with interests and experience in animal law. Slowly, I was immersing myself in it all. By the end of Spring semester, I made the decision to apply for a board position on the law review and was thrilled to be elected as a Form & Style Editor. Over the summer, I did a small amount of pro bono research work for Grey2K USA, a on-profit organization dedicated to ending greyhound racing in the United States. I was beginning to wonder, could this be? Am I really making the decision to commit to this area of law?

Then this fall arrived, my second year of law school commenced, and I began regularly attending the SALDF meetings and started getting involved in the details of the work that SALDF does. I noticed that the group did not have an official "Secretary" listed on the website, and next thing I know, I'm elected by the board and knee-deep in last-minute planning for the 2009 Animal Law Conference. The Conference was amazing, and it was during that fateful weekend in October, as I sat through amazing panel after amazing panel, that I decided this is what I wanted--this is what I needed--to do with my life.

Now, I am lucky enough to have been chosen as a competitor, representing Lewis & Clark, at the National Animal Law Competition at Harvard University in February 2010. I am so excited for the opportunity to be putting everything I'm learning about animal law to some practice.

If there is anyone out there reading this who feels like they have an interest in animal law but the path seems uncertain or unreliable, I want to tell you that the rewards of being involved in issues like these is incomparable to anything I've ever experienced. The field is expanding so much--because of people like you and me and everyone else pushing it to expand--and we will all find a way to utilize our law degrees to continue improving the legal status of animals everywhere.

- Jessica

SALDF Attends Humane Society v. Gutierrez Ninth Circuit Hearing

Several members of SALDF were fortunate to attend the Ninth Circuit hearing of Humane Society v. Gutierrez on Friday, November 5th. The case involves the States' (Oregon, Idaho, and Washington) request for authorization to lethally remove California sea lions below the Bonneville dam on the Columbia River. For an excellent review of the issues surrounding this request you can view Megan Lemire's public comment.

At the hearing the Humane Society (HSUS) argued that it was inconsistent to claim that 4% sea lion predation of salmon was significant and actionable while 17% decline in salmon population as a result of fishing was not. The Humane Society claimed that the agency erred in not assessing environmental impact thoroughly before acting. Opposing counsel pointed to facts that might suggest that sea lion predation of salmon needed to be mitigated, but were basically unable to show that the agency adequately assessed environmental impact before taking steps to eradicate the sea lions. Counsel for the agency argued that decline in salmon numbers through fishing and the impact of the dam was manageable while sea lion predation was not, and claimed that the agency had the right to determine which types of activities resulting in salmon population decline would be permitted (i.e., fishing but not sea lion predation) as part of their responsibilities. This latter line of reasoning did not seem to be persuasive to the court.

Network TV - Factory Farming

While avoiding school work and the impending doom of finals, i turned to HULU to past the time. Among my favorite shows on Hulu; House, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, and others, I watched Bones. While not the best show in the world, Bones gives me the chance to disconnect from the world 45 minutes at a time. Bones is a prime time crime drama television program featured on the Fox network with an average of 10 million viewers per episode.

The show begins as usual with Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan's forensic anthropologist who leads a team at the Jeffersonian Institution and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth investigating a murder. To my surprise, the murder leads the team to a chicken factory farm. During the episode, the main character reveals that she is a vegetarian, shows footage from a chicken factory farming operation, and another character takes on the plight to save a pig from being slaughtered.

Although this episode can't be categorized as pro animal rights, I find it interesting and somewhat motivating that a major network, during prime time would air something on the ills of factory farming.

For those of you interested in learning more about factory farming, please do not use this episode as your introduction. The ills of factory farming go far beyond whats portrayed here and are truly devastating to learn about. Being someone who spent many summers working on a cattle farm, hunting, and being a proud meat eater for nearly 26 years of my life, i can attest to what educating yourself about factory farming will do. Frankly, we owe it to ourselves and society to educate ourselves about these types of issue, and not willfully and blindly contribute to such atrocities and inhumane treatment of those we have a duty to protect.

The link to this particular episode is below--please share your thoughts.
Bones- The Tough Man in the Tender Chicken

For more information on factory farming, please visit Farm Sanctuary. Do yourself, society, and the animals a favor: educate yourself.

National Animal Law Closing Argument Competition at Harvard

On November 17th, SALDF will be holding an in-school competition to select the two students who will represent Lewis & Clark Law School at the National Animal Law Closing Argument Competition at Harvard. This will be the first time an in-school competition will be held to select the two students, and we are looking forward to seeing students compete for the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious competition.

We welcome all 2L's and 3L's to try out, especially students with an interest in moot court, oral advocacy, animal law, or trial work. The in-school competition is on Nov. 17th from 4pm to 7pm in LRC Room 336 (top floor). Competitors have 8-10 minutes to present a closing argument based on the material below. Please click on the links, which can be found on our homepage, to download the competition guide, rules, jury instructions and trial court record.

To sign up, please (click here) and select a time slot on Nov 17th. This is a great chance to improve your legal skills, enhance your resume and hopefully have some fun! If you have any questions please email saldf@lclark.edu

New SALDF Blog and the Animal Law Conference

Welcome to the new Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at Lewis & Clark Law School blog. I encourage all Lewis & Clark SALDF members, other SALDF chapter members, animal law practitioners, and animal law professors to post blogs. Please email me if you are interested in contributing: matthewd@lclark.edu

Roughly three weeks ago, we hosted the 17th annual Animal Law Conference. With nearly 300 people in attendance, 170 being law students, from all over, the conference was nothing short of a success. I met so many enthusiastic and passionate people during the three-day event, and thanks to everyone who attended. Below, I have provided a few links to articles and blog post that have commented on the conference.

Super Vegan
Oregonlive
Striking at the Roots

Among the crowd, one group of passionate law students stood out above the rest: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law's SALDF members. It was a great pleasure meeting all of them, and I am excited to see them again at next year's conference.

I would like to personally thank the four panelists who participated in the two panels I organized. It was a great honor to work with them, and the sheer expertise that they brought to their panel was outstanding.


The People v. Animal Cruelty: Criminal Prosecutions
Scott Heiser - Director of the Criminal Justice Program, Animal Legal Defense Fund
Heidi Moawad - Deputy District Attorney, Multnomah County District Attorney's Office

The Classic Link: Domestic Violence & Animal Abuse
Frank Ascione - Professor and American Humane Endowed Chair; Executive Director, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work
Megan Senatori - Partner, DeWitt, Ross & Stevens, S.C.

Also, I want to thank Nicole Pallotta and Tom Linney for participating in the first-annual SALDF leadership breakfast on such short notice. They are an invaulable resource to law students, SALDF chapters, and those interested in helping animals through the law!

One in Five Mammals Threatened with Extinction

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/03-7

With impacts from climate change, this is sure to increase dramatically.