Celebrating Our First Class of Online LLM Graduates

In the fall of 2021, we launched our online, part-time Animal Law LLM to make animal law education more accessible around the world. Our online program uses a fully asynchronous delivery method utilizing state-of-the-art technology supported by Carolina Academic Press, and equips students to pursue an advanced degree in animal law with the flexibility to also attend to their professional and personal obligations.

Now, our first cohort of online LLM students have graduated! We’re proud to announce the 13 attorneys from 7 countries who have earned their Animal Law LLM:

• Thomas Bilello - US
• Iga Głażewska - Poland
• Sadie Jacobs - US
• Adele Lau - Singapore
• Junhong Li - China
• Ignatious Maeresa - Zimbabwe
• Linda Masudze - Zimbabwe
• Nancy Makuvise - Zimbabwe
• Nkosana Maphosa - Zimbabwe
• Courtney McVean - US
• Elena Prats - Spain
• Cynthia von Schlichten - US
• Hanna Tereshko - Ukraine

These students completed their final coursework in December 2022, and officially graduated on January 15, 2023. Their graduation ceremony will be held at Lewis & Clark Law School’s Commencement for the Class of 2023 on May 20, 2023. Dr. Rajesh K. Reddy, Director of the Animal Law Program, says: “Through their hard work and dedication over the past 18 months, our first class of online LLM graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue successful careers in animal law. They also bring rich geographic diversity to the field of animal law on the international stage. All of us at the Center for Animal Law Studies are proud to welcome them to our alumni ranks.”

Our online advanced degree option adds to Lewis & Clark Law School’s already rich history of leadership in the field of animal law education. The Animal Law LLM—the world’s first and only—has been offered for in-person study on campus since 2012. Most recently, the law school expanded animal law education to non-lawyers, launching a Master of Studies (MSL) in Animal Law in the Fall of 2022. Like the LLM, the MSL is also offered both in-person and online.

Pamela Hart, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of CALS, says: “When we launched our online advanced degree program, our goal was to expand access to animal law education and to train more animal advocates to become leaders in the U.S. and abroad. We are thrilled to congratulate our first class of online advanced degree students and look forward to all they will accomplish to improve the lives of animals throughout their careers.”

For those interested in joining the next generation of animal law advocates in the Fall of 2023, applications for our in-person program are due by February 1, 2023; (apply here for the MSL and here for the LLM). Applications for our online program are due by May 15, 2023; (apply here for the online MSL or LLM).

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law advocates and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter. CALS’ Alumni-in-Action from over 20 countries are making a difference for animals around the world. CALS is a nonprofit organization funded through donations and grants.