FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas School of Law and the Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter in the School of Law are hosting the inaugural Animal Rights Speaker Series this semester.

First of its kind, the series will identify and bring a distinguished speaker or joint speakers — who possess academic expertise and/or are nationally recognized in the area of animal rights law or animal sentience — to the law school each year.

The purpose is to introduce law students and other interested parties to existing animal protection laws, animal rights, litigation techniques, animal sentience, legal research, and other topics focused on serving the interests of the animals and their human advocates under present law and going forward, and to provide in-depth knowledge and forward-looking ideas on animal rights as they now exist.

From left, Tyler Entz, Ashley James and Calli Holland of the student chapter of Animal Legal Defense Fund.

This year's speaker is the executive director and CEO of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Stephen Wells. Wells has been a leader in the nonprofit wildlife conservation and animal protection movements since 1990.

"The relationship between animals and humans has come into sharp relief — affirming the need to protect animals for their benefit, but additionally our own safety," Wells said. "Animal law is an emerging field that needs bright minds and innovative strategies to not only increase animals' protections, but our ability to enforce them."   

The event will take place virtually from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, and is open to all campus community. Please register here.

Dolores Proubasta and Christopher Liner

The speaker series has been made possible by the generosity of Dolores Proubasta and Christopher Liner who started the Proubasta-Liner Endowed Distinguished Speaker Award.

"Humans pursue ever more eclectic rights for themselves while denying other animals the natural rights to which every sentient being is entitled," said Proubasta. "This vast inequity is evident all around us, but most people look away because the consequences are hard to stomach. Only the law can rectify what has been done since the dawn of humanity: animal rights. My husband and I trust that this new generation of lawyers will win — one legal dispute at a time — the fundamental rights to life and bodily and mental integrity for nonhumans. Justice for all."

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at uarklaw.