Animal Law

This course combines theoretical understandings of relevant legal principles in animal law, with technical skills necessary to understand and develop impact litigation. The semester will begin with an introductory overview of moral philosophy and history of animal law in the United States. Building from this foundation, we will examine laws impacting animals in varying contexts, including laboratories, exhibition, and food production. This class will further explore the interaction of various fields of law, e.g., constitutional, administrative, consumer protection, as well as overlap with other areas of issue advocacy. While the primary goal of this course is an exploration of the multidisciplinary field of animal law, students will also exercise and reinforce general litigation skills, including reviewing case dockets and pleadings, with attention to principles of civil procedure.