Animal Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association

06/06/2026

A significant victory for animal welfare advocates: the Portland City Council has approved a ban on the sale of foie gras in Portland, Oregon, by a 7–5 vote.

The measure is scheduled to take effect in approximately seven months and represents the culmination of years of coordinated advocacy, coalition-building, public education, lobbying, grassroots organizing, and civic engagement by numerous organizations and individual advocates.

This outcome demonstrates how sustained advocacy, strategic collaboration, and civic participation can lead to meaningful policy change for animals.

05/12/2026

Join the LACBA Animal Law Section for an important conversation on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement — also known as the High Seas Treaty — one of the most significant international environmental agreements in recent years.

Hear from distinguished speakers, the Honorable Jane Lubchenco and Dr. Holly Doremus.

📅 June 10, 2026�
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Zoom Webinar
1.0 Hour General MCLE

🔗 Register Here: https://lacba.org/?pg=Events&evAction=showDetail&eid=347777&evSubAction=listAll

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement (or High Seas Treaty): A Conversation with The Honorable Jane Lubchenco and Dr. Holly Doremus

04/29/2026

Endangered Species Act at a Crossroads?
A rarely used provision of the Endangered Species Act—invoked by the Endangered Species Committee (“God Squad”)—was recently used to exempt Gulf oil and gas projects on national security grounds.

Experts warn this could broaden how exemptions are used, with potential implications for endangered species protections moving forward.

Worth watching as legal challenges unfold.

04/26/2026

When a Dog Bite Becomes a Systems Failure

A recent settlement in Emily Moncur v. County of Orange et al. highlights a critical issue: Dog-bite liability isn’t just about the bite—it’s about what happens before and after.

The lawsuit alleged that a shelter volunteer was left alone with a dog, without adequate training or a way to call for help, leading to a prolonged attack involving multiple bites.

The case underscores how staffing, training, and emergency response protocols can shape liability—especially in public animal care settings.

Worth a read (subscription required):
https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/390930-orange-county-reaches-settlement-in-animal-shelter-dog-bite-case?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Daily Journal has more journalists covering the California legal profession than any other publication. Comprehensive coverage of litigation, arbitration, and mediation results from California state and federal trial courts for attorneys and legal professionals.

04/25/2026

The Environmental Implications of Your Dinner
Join us for an upcoming webinar presented by the Animal Law Section and co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Section, exploring the legal and environmental impacts of factory farming—from water pollution to methane digesters and related energy practices.

Featuring insights from speakers:
Christine Ball-Blakely, Animal Legal Defense Fund
Emily Miller, Food and Water Watch
Sarah A. Thompson, Ryther Law Group, LLP

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12:00–1:00 PM (Zoom)
1.0 CLE credit

Register here: https://lacba.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=322690

A timely discussion at the intersection of environmental and animal law.

Factory farms generate and dispose of enormous quantities of animal waste. This waste contains nutrients responsible for dead zones and harmful algal blooms, pathogens like E. coli, antibiotics, and heavy metals. These industrial-scale operations are a leading source of water pollution nationally...

04/20/2026

NO STANDING, NO CHALLENGE

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently issued a notable decision on organizational standing in animal law litigation.

In Farm Sanctuary et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, the court held that animal advocacy groups—including Farm Sanctuary, Animal Equality, and Animal Outlook—lacked standing to challenge a USDA rule governing swine inspection practices.

The court emphasized that diversion of resources and mission frustration—without a concrete and particularized injury—are insufficient to establish standing, reinforcing principles highlighted in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.

A key takeaway: advocacy alone is not enough—courts continue to require a clear, concrete injury to proceed.

Check out the full article by Hailey Konnath:�https://www.law360.com/articles/2466281/2nd-circ-says-animal-groups-can-t-challenge-swine-rule

The Second Circuit on Thursday held that a trio of animal welfare groups don't have the standing to fight the U.S. Department of Agriculture's revised practices for inspecting pigs at slaughterhouses, ruling that none of the groups have shown they are likely to be harmed by the rule.

04/12/2026

03/29/2026

Presented by the Animal Law Section, Co-Sponsored by the Litigation Section

ANIMALS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: FREE SPEECH AND PROTEST IN THE ANIMAL LAW SPHERE

Mon, March 30, 2026 12-1pm

03/14/2026

Appeals Court Reinstates New York City’s Foie Gras Ban

A New York intermediate appellate court ruled that New York City has the authority to ban the sale of foie gras, clearing the way for the city’s 2019 law to take effect once all appeals are exhausted. The court held that state agricultural laws do not limit the city’s home-rule power to regulate local sales, reversing a lower court decision. A similar ban already exists in California, reflecting growing legal efforts to address animal welfare concerns tied to foie gras production.

03/13/2026

Federal Court Dismisses Prop 12 Challenge

A federal court in the Central District of California dismissed a lawsuit by Triumph Foods, LLC, challenging California’s Proposition 12 animal confinement standards. The court dismissed the preemption and Import-Export Clause claims with prejudice, while allowing Triumph 14 days to amend its Dormant Commerce Clause and Due Process claims. The decision is the latest development in ongoing litigation over California’s farm animal welfare law.