SECTION SPOTLIGHT
Q&A WITH ANIMAL LAW SECTION CHAIR LEILA AREFI
Q. What is the most valuable benefit members get from joining your Section that they can’t get anywhere else?
Animal Law is such a niche practice area that is unlike any other. Although we are revamping our Section from a period of dormancy, our members can look forward to upcoming educational opportunities such as various CLEs, social and networking opportunities, and leadership and engagement opportunities.
Q. What is a recent Section accomplishment or current project that you are excited about?
Currently, we are working on putting together our end-of-the-year CLE! It will be a daylong event that is sure to be relevant across various practices of law.
Q. Are there any future projects or events your Section is currently working on?
We are aiming to produce three to four CLEs, including mini CLEs, per calendar year. We are also planning to host social events with our members at reputable animal sanctuaries/rescues in the greater Seattle and surrounding areas. In the future, we are hoping to have enough engagement across the state to host in other locations. Further, we are looking to recruit law students who are interested in assisting the Section with putting together a quarterly newsletter which would include researching and compiling unpublished/published opinions, administrative opinions, and bills under consideration by the Legislature.
Q. What opportunities does your Section provide for members who are looking for a mentor or for somebody to mentor?
Since animal law is an area of law that touches all types of law, most practitioners come across an animal law case at least a few times throughout their career and find the need for assistance. Our Executive Committee is currently discussing implementing a Zoom-based MentorLink Mixer that we would hold periodically for anyone to attend so that we could support our bar community and the animals that they support. These sessions would be approximately an hour-and-a-half and would be a one-time topic-based opportunity for members. We would provide three to four mentors to speak on a topic in animal law generally. Mentees would have the opportunity to go into breakout rooms and have time to talk with mentors about related questions they may have.
Q. What advice do you have for building a successful practice in the area of law related to your Section and how does membership in your Section help do that?
Coming to animal law as a law student or newly barred attorney can be extremely disillusioning and disappointing. There are not enough jobs for true animal attorneys at the “big-name” animal rights organizations and nonprofits. New advocates should not be discouraged by this. In my opinion, many of those jobs are hired for and picked in an unfair, political atmosphere that is not based on actual skill or passion of the individual applying. Further, prospective animal attorneys should be careful to not find themselves in a position that is “law-adjacent” or not even law related at all just for the namesake of the organization to which they apply or get hired. If you want to be an attorney, then don’t waste your law degree! Animal law is truly for the solo and small practice attorney. Ultimately, if you want to be an animal attorney, you will have to make a way yourself.
Q. In addition to membership in your Section, what are the best ways to stay up on the developing law in this practice area?
Members can stay up to date on developments in animal law by checking the following sites for updates:
- www.animallaw.info
- https://thebrooksinstitute.org/animal-law-digest
- https://aldf.org/article/animal-law-update
- www.aspca.org/news/law-launched-movement-animals
- www.americanbar.org/groups/tort_trial_insurance_practice/resources/committee-articles/animal-law-legislative-updates
Q. Does your Section offer a newsletter?
We did years ago; however, we have not had one for quite some time. We are looking for law students and anyone else interested in assisting our Section with this task.
Q. Is there anything else you want readers to know about your Section?
If anyone is interested in applying for a position on the Executive Committee, joining the Section, assisting with activities, or sharing suggestions, we want to hear from you. Please visit www.wsba.org/legal-community/sections/animal-law-section or email sections@wsba.org.
MORE ONLINE > The Section membership year is Jan. 1 – Dec. 31. For more information and to join the Animal Law Section, or any other Section, visit www.wsba.org/legal-community/sections/sections.
About the author
Leila Arefi is a solo practitioner in Vancouver and the treasurer and immediate past-chair of the WSBA Animal Law Section. Arefi can be reached at: