Joyce Tischler Named 2025 AALS Section Award Winner

The Center for Animal Law Studies’ Professor Joyce Tischler, a trailblazer in the field of animal law, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Animal Law – Award for Excellence in Animal Law: Scholarship-Teaching-Service. The annual AALS Section Awards recognize the remarkable impact of the association’s members across 108 sections.

“It is with great pride that we recognize these distinguished individuals and institutions that have been honored by their sections for outstanding contributions to scholarship, teaching, mentorship, and service,” said Melanie D. Wilson, AALS President and Dean and Roy L. Steinheimer, Jr., Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law.

The Excellence in Animal Law: Scholarship-Teaching-Service Award recognizes law teachers who positively impact animals through the law, including through education, legislative advocacy, public initiatives, and other projects. Professor Tischler, widely known as the “Mother of Animal Law,” has dedicated her career to improving animals’ lives and advancing their protection through the legal system.

“I am humbled to be added to the distinguished list of recipients of this award,” Professor Tischler shared. “Given that I came to teaching animal law later in my career, first as an adjunct and then as a full-time professor of practice, I was surprised and delighted to be selected. To be able to teach what I am most passionate about has been a wonderful opportunity and a gift. The students I teach and interact with inspire me with their commitment to protect animals. I know now that the animal law movement will continue to grow and flourish, as the next generation takes over.”

Professor Tischler founded the Animal Legal Defense Fund in 1979, laying the groundwork for the modern animal law movement, and she joined CALS in 2019. “Working at the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, where we are educating the next generation of animal law advocates, is a dream come true for me,” she added.

Professor Tischler’s award will be presented during the 2025 AALS Annual Meeting on January 9, which highlights the theme “Courage in Action.” With a career built on fostering compassion and driving justice, Professor Tischler exemplifies this year’s meeting theme, having spent decades championing the legal protections animals deserve and inspiring others to follow her lead.

“This award is so well-deserved,” said Pamela Byce, Assistant Dean and Executive Director for CALS. “Her lifelong dedication, groundbreaking leadership, and unwavering commitment to animals have inspired advocates around the world. Joyce embodies this award in every way, and we are incredibly grateful for her many achievements.”

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 30 countries are making a difference for animals around the world. CALS is a self-funded Center within the law school operating under the Lewis & Clark College 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and is able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.