Animal Law LLM Aurora Paulsen selected as first ALDF LLM Scholar

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) and the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) are pleased to announce that Aurora Paulsen has been selected to receive the first-ever ALDF LLM Scholar Award in recognition of her academic and professional achievements in animal law. This award provides tuition assistance toward the Animal Law LLM degree at Lewis & Clark Law School—the first and only postgraduate law degree program focused specifically on animal law.

Aurora holds a BA in linguistics from Reed College and a JD and certificate in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School. Additionally, Aurora was a judicial law clerk at the Oregon Court of Appeals and a legal fellow at the Center for Food Safety, where she litigated various sustainable agriculture issues. She has also held positions with ALDF and the Humane Society of the United States. While in law school, Aurora led Animal Law Review as Editor in Chief and instituted the journal’s first annual symposium. She has authored and co-authored five law review articles and two newsletter articles on legal issues around farmed and wild animals, as well as a book chapter on CAFO litigation (forthcoming).

She is currently pursuing an Animal Law LLM at Lewis & Clark Law School, focusing on animals in agriculture. Through the Animal Law LLM Aurora will also edit a book on Swiss animal law, continue with animal protection litigation, and work closely with Professor Pamela Frasch in the Animal Law Fundamentals course as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In addition to providing support, Aurora will have the opportunity to lead class discussion on topics with which she has expertise. Adding her voice to the conversation in this way will lead to a richer academic experience for everyone in the classroom. According to Nicole Pallotta, ALDF’s Student Programs Manager, “Aurora exemplifies the bright future of animal law, and we are pleased to offer this scholarship to support her continued education in the field. She is a shining example of the talent and dedication of our growing network of SALDF members, who use their considerable skills and passion to find creative and affective ways to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.”