How will today’s non-meat eating animal rights lawyer affect tomorrow’s judges, magistrates and other lawyers?
I think such lawyers (and also law students) will have an impact in a number of different ways. Firstly, and most directly, they will themselves become tomorrow’s judges and magistrates (not to mention academics, policy makers and others who can bring about change). They can also play an important role by simply getting animal law cases before the courts, building the case law in the area, and ensuring that the critical issues are discussed, debated and tested in the courts. Such lawyers can also have a more indirect influence, for example by writing articles and holding seminars/conferences on animal law issues, helping put them on the agenda and in the minds of decision-makers. They can also talk to their colleagues about the legal issues facing animals, whether that be at a firm morning tea or in a more formal setting, which may also have flow on effects.
