CALS Welcomes Animal Law Teaching Fellow

Kaitilyn (Kaiti) Bestor ’24 has joined the team at the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) as an Animal Law Teaching Fellow. “Kaiti’s dedication, scholarship, and leadership in animal law are already evident, and we are excited to welcome her back to Lewis & Clark in this new role,” says Pamela Byce, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of CALS. “We look forward to the many ways she will inspire and support the next generation of animal law students.”

Kaiti earned her JD from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2024, along with an Animal Law Certificate. During that time, she served as an associate editor for Animal Law Review and held various leadership roles with the Lewis & Clark Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter, including Co-Director for the 2023-2024 academic year.

In 2023, Kaiti was selected to present her research on banning male chick culling in the egg industry at the Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Convention. She undertook the research and wrote the paper in the Industrial Animal Agriculture Law course. She has also served as a law clerk for the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program and was a member of the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment Clinic. In recognition of her commitment and leadership, CALS honored Kaiti with the Animal Law Leadership Award in May 2024.

Kaiti will be teaching Intro to U.S. Legal Studies in the online advanced degree program, as well as teaching Legal Research: Animal Law in the in-person program.

“Serving as a Teaching Fellow at the Center for Animal Law Studies marks a full-circle moment for me,” reflects Kaiti. “Since the beginning of my legal education, the animal law community at Lewis & Clark Law School has provided invaluable support, mentorship, and inspiration. I am honored to give back to the program that was instrumental in shaping my development as an animal advocate and attorney by helping educate and empower students to have the skills and knowledge to improve the treatment of animals through the law.”

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 more than 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.