News 2016: Animal-law attorney speaks at inaugural event of Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund holds its inaugural event with keynote speaker Daina Bray, general counsel of the International Fund for Animal Welfare

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) at UMass Law held its inaugural event with keynote speaker Daina Bray, general counsel of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Attorney Bray talked about a range of subjects.  She explained the work of the IFAW and other animal welfare organizations in the United States and around the world, from rescue operations to legal representation.  She discussed careers in animal law and explained how she came to hold her post with IFAW.  She talked about the work of a general counsel, which can be as varied as contract, tort, insurance, and intellectual property.  And she talked about the role of the profession in the practice of animal law, especially the opportunities and advantages of involvement with organizations such as the Animal Law Committee of the Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Attorney Bray's visit was sponsored by SALDF, ABA TIPS, the ABA law student liaison, the Student Bar Association, and the Office of Career Services.  The SALDF is in its first year of operation at UMass Law and was founded by President Anthony Doss.  The founding Executive Board comprises Doss, Vice President Mary Chaffee, Treasurer Marissa Engel, and Co-Secretaries Kayla Venckauskas and Barnaby McLaughlin.  Professor Richard Peltz-Steele advises the organization and delivered opening remarks about ABA TIPS.  Peltz-Steele is a vice chair of the ABA TIPS International Law Committee.