About Us

The Center for Animal Law Studies is home to the Animal Law Program and animal law projects and activities of Lewis & Clark Law School. 

A thought leader in the field, CALS offers the most extensive animal law curriculum in the world—offering more than 25 diverse animal law courses, with 18 distinct courses in rotation each year. Lewis & Clark law students may also specialize in animal law by earning an Animal Law Certificate. CALS also offers the world’s first and only advanced legal degree in Animal Law and the nation’s first Master of Studies in Animal Law for non-lawyers. Both advanced degrees are offered in-person and online.

CALS was founded in 2008 through a collaborative effort between the Law School and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Lewis & Clark Law School had long been a leader and pioneer in the field of animal law education dating back to 1992. It is home to the first legal journal devoted exclusively to animal law (the Animal Law Review), the first student animal law organization (the Lewis & Clark Animal Legal Defense Fund), and the world’s longest-running animal law conference, and the world’s first Dean of Animal Law.

CALS is a self-funded nonprofit organization operating under the Lewis & Clark College 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and is only able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.

Receive up-to-date news about CALS

Educating the next generation of animal law advocates and advancing animal protection through the law