This course considers the tensions inherent in trying to serve the needs of humans and animals, plus constitutional limitations of justifiability, due process, and First Amendment guarantees. Students become familiar with litigation tools commonly used in animal law practice.

A discussion of legal rights for nonhuman animals, the sources and characteristics of fundamental rights, why nonhuman animals are presently denied them, why all humans are presently entitled to them, whether they should be available for nonhumans under the common law and, if they should, which rights should nonhuman animals have, which animals should have them, and what strategies are available for obtaining them.

Covers the evolution and regulation of animal agriculture in America, contrasted with farmed animal welfare policies in other developed nations. Will evaluate the long-term sustainability of CAFO food production specifically and animal food production generally. Students will explore the pressures from increased international trade in agricultural products.

A broad and rapidly evolving field of law has developed concerning the welfare of animals that are used for a variety of human purposes, including food, entertainment, research, and companionship. Animals used for these purposes often endure a wide range of abuses that diminish animal welfare while also having an impact on humans. Public views about such uses of animals are rapidly changing.

This course will focus on real-world skills required to run an effective animal law litigation practice. Course topics will be taught from pleadings, deposition transcripts, and court orders from real-life cases. Using case studies, the course will teach students how to (i) choose and/or cultivate cases, (ii) determine the best jurisdiction and venue, (iii) identify appropriate procedural vehicles to achieve goals, (iv) build a case through discovery, (v) articulate cognizable remedies, (vi) identify settlement opportunities/roadblocks, and (vii) recover attorneys’ fees.

Scientific literacy is a cornerstone of advancing successful legal and policy efforts on behalf of nonhuman animals. This course will provide an overview of critical and foundational scientific concepts, scientific thinking and culture, and scientific vocabulary, and an introduction to how to use this information to inform effective animal protection law and policy efforts.

This course will introduce students to current and emerging international legal frameworks that provide incentives and restraints for implementing animal protection policies by public and private entities. Through a comprehensive examination of various concepts and instruments of both international and animal law, the course provides students with the necessary knowledge and tools to analyze and evaluate international commitments, decisions, and guidelines in force or under discussion.

What are undercover investigations? Why do animal advocacy organizations conduct them? In this course, students will explore a variety of legal considerations as they relate to conducting undercover investigations of animal operations. Specifically, students will examine the intersection of criminal law, tort, and ethical issues, as well as what does and does not constitute actionable animal cruelty. We will discuss evidentiary issues, taking action/pursuing litigation, and corporate liability.

Covers American law on domesticated animals in the criminal, tort, wills, contract, and constitutional legal contexts. Also considers wildlife and species law and its relationship to the law on individual animals. Students regularly consider ethical issues related to animals as a foundation for current law and possible reform.