Everything Happens for a Reason

As Student Conference Coordinator for the 2011 Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark, I have been reading the newly published Animal Law in Nutshell, in an effort to gain a broader grasp of the myriad issues animal law encompasses. It leaves me wondering..."What do I want to focus on as an animal lawyer?"

The idea of becoming a lawyer is fairly new to me. I studied psychology and music in college, pretty set on becoming a music educator or music therapist. Through a story I refer to as, "The Best Disaster That Ever Happened," I found myself in Hong Kong for a summer, unable to volunteer at the organization I was scheduled to be at, and in need of a network of people with whom I could spend a few months. Animals Asia Foundation took me in, and I spent my summer helping with their moon bear campaign and teaching 'Professor Paws' courses. Professors Paws classes entailed bringing a certified therapy dog into a Chinese government-run classroom, and while teaching the children English, teaching the children to love and respect dogs and animals. At the end of four one-hour sessions over the course of four weeks, the children graduated as official "Pet Cadets," ready and able to stand and take a pledge to protect all animals.

Watching the children transform over the four weeks was so touching to me. I know how much my dog has meant to me growing up, and being able to share that love of an animal with children who formerly viewed them as dirty or scary - what a feeling being able to share something so important to me. Animals Asia's lawyer invited me back the following summer to work directly under her supervision, and well, the rest is history.

So here I am, in law school at Lewis & Clark, studying animal law, and wondering what I am actually going to DO once I pass the bar. I was inspired this morning by an email my dad sent me. I sent him a news article about a fox that accidentally stepped on the trigger of a gun, shooting the hunter that had been aiming to shoot him. My dad replied to my email with this little story:

Can you imagine the fox going back and telling his other fox friends what happened. He sits there with his bandaged wound telling the story: "So after I shot him, I told that hunter 'Don't you ever come back here again!' And then the hunter just ran away crying like a little baby."

They all laugh hysterically, emboldened for their own next encounter with a hunter. But suddenly, a small twig snaps in the bush. A hush goes over the crowd until they realize it was just an overweight squirrel. They go back to their laughing at the hunter, but perhaps a little bit more nervously than before.

Thanks for brightening up my day. I like to see the little guy win at least once in awhile.

Growing up with my parents, it would be impossible not to love animals. My favorite childhood story is from the time my parents let some squirrels live in our attic all winter, because despite the fact that they were eating our house, the squirrels had babies and my parents didn't want them to die in the cold. My mom used to come home with new companion animals it seemed like every week for a while - and every single one of them was the runt of the litter, or the bird that had plucked all its feathers out, or another animal that desperately NEEDED love and care. My parents gave me binoculars when I was little to watch the birds in the woods behind our home more closely. I could go on and on about all the ways in which my parents instilled in me a love and respect for animals, both companion and wild.

I was intrigued by the notion of studying animal law because it seemed that the law would be the most effective way to make change for the most animals. By changing the laws, and changing the infrastructure of our legal system as to not view animals as property, we can help an infinite number of animals. But as I re-read my dad's email this morning, and reflect on my experience teaching in Hong Kong, I am realizing that perhaps equally important as changing the law is campaigning for widespread humane education. If every child grew up hearing the values that my parents instilled in me, maybe we wouldn't need to have a law making it illegal to abuse a living being.

Maybe I will become an educator after all. As they say, everything happens for a reason.

Jaclyn Leeds J.D. Candidate 2013 Lewis & Clark Law School

Finding Balance

Tonight I have forty pages of reading and legal writing work to complete. For the last few weeks I have been on a wild hunt for a summer job. Plus, I have to deal with life issues that do not stop just because I am in law school.

How am I supposed to keep up with all of this and still take the time to get involved in the many animal law opportunities available at Lewis & Clark Law School? Just keeping up with opportunities available through the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Center for Animal Law Studies is tough. Plus, how am I supposed to do everything I want and keep current on animal protection issues? After all, like many of my peers in L&C's Animal Law Program, animals are the reason I am in law school. I am pretty sure I am not the only one who constantly thinks about the issue of finding some semblance of life balance while studying law (or at least I hope not).

I have been working hard trying to figure out how to balance it all. I don’t have any fabulously wise advice for anyone but what has been working for me is to get involved a little at a time. Add one straw to the camel’s back, feel it out, and then see if you can add another. After all, I'm pretty sure no one in the Animal Law Program wants a broken camel back literally or metaphorically.

Jokes aside, I think all law students should remind themselves everyday why they are studying law. Whether the goal is to run a successful business, become the world's greatest criminal defense lawyer or work in animal protection, we must stay focused and keep our eye on the prize. Otherwise, we risk getting too caught up fearing embarrassment in class should we say something wrong, or with what a particular torts case is about, or whatever the case may be. We are all here for a more important reason; we should remember that.

For me, I'm here with the ultimate goal of helping to better the lives of animals. I'm biased of course, but I think this is such a great goal that any of us here for the same purpose should stay laser-focused on it. While animal law is a growing field, it is still small and we are all needed if we want to make a real difference in the lives of animals. So, who cares if I get something wrong in class. I'm in class to learn and making mistakes is part of that process. What really matters is my ultimate goal.

This is my first-ever blog posting. I was told today blogging is the way of the future, so I decided to jump right into it. I hope to be back to share more thoughts but for now, I still have civil procedure waiting for me and I want to be able to get some much-needed rest.

Oh, and just in case you haven’t already heard, Dr. Ramona Ilea, Ph.D., of Pacific University will be speaking about “Philosophical Perspectives on Animals” at Lewis & Clark Law School on January 20^th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in McCarty Classroom 1.

Michelle Pawliger J.D. Candidate 2013 Lewis & Clark Law School

Michelle with Rogue, a rescue she helped rehabilitate at Sanctuary One.

Michelle at the Oregon Coast.

2009-2010 Year in Review

The Center for Animal Law Studies, in collaboration with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, wishes you and yours the best in 2011. We've put together a special year in review "movie" for you as an expression of our gratitude. We are proud to contribute to the field of animal law and remain dedicated to "Creating the Next Generation of Animal Law Attorneys." 2011 holds a lot of promise for us, our students, colleagues, friends, and the continued development of animal law. It's an exciting time and we look forward to many good things to come; new animal law courses, new Animal Law Clinic projects, new students, new opportunities, and amazing work on ALL fronts. Cheers, Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark, in collaboration with the Animal Legal Defense Fund

Blog Post Update From Jaclyn

As a quick update to my earlier post about the Truth in Fur Labeling Act - it just got passed by the Senate! Read more here. As soon as Obama signs it, it will become law, and all products containing real fur must be labeled as such, regardless of their market price. Way to go, Congress!

In other (almost as exciting) news, I have now officially completed my first law school final, and I survived (although perhaps I should wait till I receive my grades till I address whether I survived). Happy Holidays to everyone!

Jaclyn Leeds J.D. Candidate 2013 Lewis & Clark Law School

Why it Matters

I don’t think I am unique when I say that my dog is my best friend, hence the age-old adage; however, there is a whole new meaning to that truism when your dog is your only friend. I am spoiled with a network of support that is big enough to encompass my needs wherever I go in the world. For many of the individuals I spoke with this past weekend, that support network consists only of their dog or cat. Portland Animal Welfare Team, “PAW Team,” runs clinics on the first Sunday of every month to provide basic veterinary care as well as essential supplies free to the companion animals of people who are homeless or in extreme poverty. The devoted guardians line up outside the clinic as early as 6 a.m. to assure their companion’s chance of receiving care. Each dog or cat receives a number, and once their number is called, a volunteer helps the guardian fill out medical intake forms and assess what the pet needs that day: vaccines, deworming, ear checks, flea meds, nail trimming, grooming, etc. After the forms are completed, a volunteer takes the animal and guardian to different stations to administer the needed care. When finished, the guardian picks out some food, toys and a blanket, and then the animal and their guardian head off until their next visit. As a volunteer, I am reminded at these clinics of how wonderfully special companion animals are. At the clinic this past weekend, one of the individuals I was helping looked to be a big, tough guy, covered in tattoos. He was at the clinic with his rescued pit bull. One look at this pit bull and I knew she was a lucky, lucky girl to have found a loving human. Her deep scars and distended nipples spoke volumes about the abuse she must have endured in her previous “home.” The gentleman only adopted her months ago, but as I watched this big, tough guy look into this dog’s eyes, it was clear the two are soulmates. They looked at each other and only saw one another. It seems to me the pair may have rescued each other. That PAW Team can help these animals in need is important for the animals themselves, for the people whose lives they so fully enrich, as well as for our greater community. Every dog or cat that gets vaccinated is one fewer dog on the street potentially spreading disease. The clinic also mandates that dogs and cats be spayed or neutered and provides coupons to do so for free with the help of Multnomah County Animal Services and the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland. Every animal that gets spayed or neutered helps combat overpopulation and also helps ease some of the burden unwanted companion animals place on our community. The number of animals the clinic treats every month has climbed dramatically from 2009 to 2010 alone. In 2009, the clinic treated on average 70 pets; this year, that number has grown to 130+, in addition to having to turn some animals away. These are tough economic times. As this organization survives solely on donations, they are also struggling. I hope that PAW Team is able to push through and that they receive enough donations so that they can continue providing this essential service to the community.

Read more about this organization at www.portlandanimalwelfareteam.org. Jaclyn Leeds J.D. Candidate 2013 Lewis & Clark Law School

Repost - ALDF Blog by Matthew Liebman

This year’s conference sold out a full month ahead of time, reflecting the rapidly growing interest in animal law. Next year’s conference promises to continue Lewis & Clark’s tradition of hosting engaging and productive forums for the development of animal law. Read more: http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1507

Lessons From the 18th Annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark

Well, the 18th Annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark has come and gone, and what a weekend! I so enjoyed my first Lewis & Clark conference. I felt proud to be a member of this remarkable community and to share our school with people from around the world. I learned vast amounts about many different animal law issues and was both daunted by all the work that has to be done for the animals as well as inspired by all the groundbreaking achievements that have been done.

The most striking piece of information I learned this weekend was in a panel with Nancy Perry, vice president of government affairs at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). She was discussing the bills that she is hoping will get passed before the end of this congressional session, rapidly approaching on January 3rd. One of the bills being considered is The Truth in Fur Labeling Act (H.R. 2480). If passed, it would close the loophole left in the Fur Products Labeling Act of 1951 that exempts the labeling of fur products valued under $150.

According to Congressman Jim Moran, author of the bill and co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, 13% of the fur market falls beneath the $150 threshold. Additionally, recent investigations conducted by HSUS found “a proliferation of falsely labeled and falsely advertised fur on fashion clothing sold by some of the largest names in U.S. retailing.” Of the mislabeled (labeled as “faux fur”) and unlabeled fur-trimmed jackets tested by HSUS, 96% were found to be domestic dog, wolf, or raccoon.

• Read the text of the bill at this link.

• Read the Fur Products Labeling Act as it is currently.

Here is the text of the Act that desperately needs amendment:

(d) The term "fur product" means any article of wearing apparel made in whole or in part of fur or used fur; except that such term shall not include such articles, other than any dog or cat fur product to which section 308 of the Tariff Act of 1930 applies, as the Commission shall exempt by reason of the relatively small quantity or value of the fur or used fur contained therein.

I was both shocked and disgusted to learn this. I don’t know how many times I’ve bought boots with “fur” on the interior, assuming that since it wasn’t labeled as fur and the boots only cost $30, well then of course the fur wasn’t real! Was it? I certainly hope not. The realization of this possibility really drove home for me how significant each subtle word is in the law. Yikes. Every word counts. A single clause allows products containing dog fur to go unlabeled – unbelievable.

On a lighter note, I was so excited this morning to come to school and see all of my animal law peers. I feel like we all bonded this weekend. I was particularly struck by something L&C Animal Law Clinic Director Kathy Hessler said in the last panel, “Student Career Summit.” She advised us students to not consider our peers as competition, but rather as colleagues. The spirit of the conference really supported that notion - that everyone in this field needs to support each other.

Pamela Frasch and Joyce Tischler offered an engaging panel on social movements, examining the civil rights and women’s suffrage movements and using them to predict the future of the animal rights movement. A question that arose was, is it good or bad that the animal rights movement is so dispersive?

While I have mixed feelings on that, I do believe what is perhaps most important is not that we all agree on what is the “correct” way to go about securing rights for animals, but instead, that we all need to help each other help animals. I think for this field to really see wide success, we will all need to put our varying creative ideas together and support each other in our efforts.

That said, I am so excited to work with my peers at Lewis and Clark Law School, with my peers nationally who are passionate about making a difference for animals, and with the remarkable leaders already paving the way for present and future change.

Thanks to everyone for making this conference such an enriching experience!

• Visit the conference website.

Jaclyn Leeds J.D. Candidate 2013 Lewis & Clark Law School Jaclyn Leeds & Fellow 1Ls, Kelly LaToza & Lora Dunn

Nancy Perry, Vice President of Government Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States ( L&C Alumna)

Kathy Hessler

Animal Law Clinic Director, Lewis & Clark Law School

Pamela Frasch Assistant Dean/Executive Director, Center for Animal Law Studies & Joyce Tischler Founder/General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund