ANIMAL LAW
SECTION

About the Section

The Animal Law Section of the San Diego County Bar Association is a dynamic community of attorneys, advocates, and legal professionals dedicated to exploring the intersection of law and animal-related issues.We provide a forum to learn, connect, and make an impact across the full spectrum of animal welfare and animal law.

Our Section delivers practical CLEs, networking opportunities, topical discussions, and access to emerging developments in animal law. We strive to support members at all levels of experience — from those new to the area to seasoned animal law practitioners.

2026 Section Leadership

Renee Shamloo - Chair
Cheryl Nolan- Vice Chair
Shawn Huston- Member at Large
Lori Mendez-Member at Large

To contact section leadership, please email bar@sdcba.org..

Meetings

Section meetings focus on discussion and engagement around recent laws, policy developments, and current events impacting animal law. Meetings include open forums where members can share insights, raise questions, and discuss emerging issues in a collaborative setting. These conversations foster awareness of evolving legal trends while creating meaningful opportunities to connect with colleagues interested in animal welfare and animal law. Meetings also provide opportunities to exchange strategies, ask questions, share resources, and build professional connections with colleagues who share an interest in animal law.

Members of the Animal Law Section meet the 3rd Friday of the month at 12 pm via Zoom.

Upcoming Events

We host regular events designed to educate, connect, and inspire:

CLE Seminars on timely animal law topics from guest speakers such as judges, policy makers, and animal law specialist (often with MCLE credit)
Networking Meetups where members can share practice insights and referrals
Charitable and Community Service Projects in support of local animal welfare organizations

Get Involved

We’re always excited to welcome new members to the Animal Law Section. When you join, you’ll receive a welcome packet with everything you need to get started, including meeting details, event registration, and helpful resources. We’re actively growing our community and encourage members to share new ideas, suggest topics, and help shape future discussions and events. If you’re interested in joining us or learning more, please email bar@sdcba.org or click “Join the Section” from the Section Menu on this page!

Recent Developments in Animal Law

Stay informed about the latest developments in animal law. This section highlights recent legislation, case law, and policy updates curated from the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other reputable sources.

CDC Seeks to End Program Using Monkeys in Research (Dec 8, 2025)
Tyson Foods Agrees to Stop ‘Net-Zero’ & ‘Climate‑Smart Beef’ Claims (Nov 17, 2025)
California Governor Signs Animal Protection Bills into Law (Oct 21, 2025)
Lawsuit to Proceed Against USDA for Issuing AWA License to Yellowstone Bear World (Sept 19, 2025)
ALDF Partners to Challenge EPA Over Slaughterhouse Water Pollution Rules (Sept 19, 2025)
California Bill to Prohibit Public Contact with Wild Animals Introduced (Feb 20, 2025)

Section Menu

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Upcoming Section Events

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For a full calendar of SDCBA events, click here.

ANIMAL LAW SECTION