2026 Comparative Animal Law Symposium
by Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School
The 4th Annual Comparative Animal Law Symposium, organized by the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, is scheduled for March 17-18, 2026. This free, virtual event is open to the public and aims to foster innovative research in comparative animal law by bringing together early-career scholars and experts from around the globe.
The symposium will feature a keynote presentation by a distinguished scholar in animal or comparative law, followed by general discussions. Each day will include a roundtable discussion on comparative animal law issues led by leading academics. Additionally, early-career scholars will present their research, receiving constructive feedback from experts in the field.
This event provides a unique platform for postgraduate students to discuss their current research, engage with peers and experts, and build networks with researchers from diverse cultural backgrounds interested in comparative animal law.
Categories
Speakers(24)
Alexandra Mercescu
Assistant Professor at West University of Timișoara, Romania
Alexandra Mercescu is an Assistant Professor at the West University of Timișoara, Romania, specializing in comparative law and legal theory.
Anne Bedford
Researcher at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, United States
Anne Bedford is a researcher at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, United States, exploring the gap between sentience declarations and meaningful reforms for animals.
Bengisu Koşarhan
Researcher at Central European University, Austria
Bengisu Koşarhan is a researcher at Central European University, Austria, analyzing the governance of street animals through a comparative biopolitical lens.
Bianka Atlas
Animal Law LLM ('20) at Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Bianka Atlas is an Animal Law LLM graduate ('20) from Lewis & Clark Law School, United States.
David Bilchitz
Professor of Law at University of Johannesburg, South Africa and University of Reading, United Kingdom
David Bilchitz is a Professor of Law at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and the University of Reading, United Kingdom, specializing in constitutional law and human rights.
Gauri Maulekhi
Trustee at People for Animals India, India
Gauri Maulekhi is a Trustee at People for Animals India, advocating for animal rights and welfare through legal and policy initiatives.
Geoffrey Samuel
Professor Emeritus at Kent Law School, United Kingdom
Geoffrey Samuel is Professor Emeritus at Kent Law School, UK, and formerly a Professor affilié at the École de droit, Sciences Po, Paris. He has authored numerous works on contract, tort, remedies, legal reasoning, comparative law theory, and legal epistemology.
Giulia Bianchessi
Researcher at University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
Giulia Bianchessi is a researcher at the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, analyzing corporate regulation frameworks and their limitations concerning animals in global supply chains.
Hira Jaleel
Visiting Assistant Professor at Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Hira Jaleel is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States.
Kaitilyn Bestor
Animal Law Teaching Fellow at Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Kaitilyn Bestor is an Animal Law Teaching Fellow at the Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States.
M. Tyanne Benallie
Researcher at University of New Mexico School of Law, United States
M. Tyanne Benallie is a researcher at the University of New Mexico School of Law, United States, focusing on legal and policy perspectives on reservation dogs and roaming horses on the Navajo Nation.
Mariam Sawan
Researcher at Nantes Université, France and Università degli studi dell’Insubria, Italy
Mariam Sawan is a researcher affiliated with Nantes Université in France and Università degli studi dell’Insubria in Italy, focusing on animal law and legal status of companion animals.
Megan Senatori
Executive Director at Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Megan Senatori is the Executive Director of the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, United States.
Olivier Le Bot
Professor of Public Law at Aix-Marseille University, France
Olivier Le Bot is a Professor of Public Law at Aix-Marseille University, France, with expertise in administrative law and animal law.
Paula Cardoso
General Counsel at Mercy for Animals, Brazil
Paula Cardoso is the General Counsel for Mercy for Animals in Brazil, focusing on legal strategies to combat industrial animal agriculture.
Rajesh K. Reddy
Assistant Professor of Law and Animal Law Program Director at Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Rajesh K. Reddy is an Assistant Professor of Law and the Animal Law Program Director at the Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School, United States.
Sabrina Hilali
Researcher at NALSAR University of Law, India
Sabrina Hilali is a researcher at NALSAR University of Law, India, focusing on evidence law, municipal power, and animal protection in Bangladesh and India.
Savannah Sherman
Researcher at Lewis & Clark Law School, United States
Savannah Sherman is a researcher at Lewis & Clark Law School, United States, comparing the Animal Welfare Act in the U.S. with New Zealand's legislation.
Shreya Padukone
Head of Programs at Animal Law Centre at NALSAR University of Law, India
Shreya Padukone is the Head of Programs at the Animal Law Centre at NALSAR University of Law, India, overseeing various initiatives in animal law education and advocacy.
Taylor J. Black
Researcher at University of New Mexico School of Law, United States
Taylor J. Black is a researcher at the University of New Mexico School of Law, United States, studying legal and policy perspectives on reservation dogs and roaming horses on the Navajo Nation.
Tushti Chopra
Researcher at NALSAR University of Law, India
Tushti Chopra is a researcher at NALSAR University of Law, India, studying the intersection of human violence and animal abuse in comparative legal contexts.
Victoria Vercruysse
Researcher at CEU Cardinal Herrera University, Spain
Victoria Vercruysse is a researcher at CEU Cardinal Herrera University, Spain, exploring the transition from moral to legal status of animals using philosophical frameworks.
Yarí Elisa Cruz Ríos
Researcher at University of Puerto Rico
Yarí Elisa Cruz Ríos is a researcher at the University of Puerto Rico, focusing on animal sentience and Caribbean legislation.
Yvonne Gurira
Founder & Executive Director at Animal Advocates International, Zimbabwe
Yvonne Gurira is the Founder and Executive Director of Animal Advocates International in Zimbabwe, working on animal protection and advocacy.
Event Details
- Date
- March 17-18, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Early-career scholars, postgraduate students, and professionals interested in comparative animal law.