Nonprofit Animal Law

Nonprofit Animal Law - Professor Russ Mead

• Course Number: LAW-442 - In-person Section
• Course Type: Highly Specialized
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
• Description: Nonprofit organizations carry out much of the animal law work in the US and worldwide. From training law enforcement on crimes against animals, to protecting endangered and threatened species, and conducting legislative campaigns on animal issues. This course teaches students how to create a nonprofit / NGO organization to take on this work. This experiential course is designed to guide students through the process of creating an animal-related nonprofit. Students learn US tax code restrictions on private inurement, political candidate endorsement, issue lobbying, and distribution of assets. Students draft articles of incorporation that satisfy state corporation statutes and the Federal tax code, draft foundational bylaws, select board members, select corporate officers, hold nonprofit board meetings, and create a conflict-of-interest policy. The course covers additional legal topics essential to the creation of the new animal nonprofit. While the course will also guide students seeking to formally incorporate their nonprofit and file for Federal tax-exempt status, those who pursue this option are required to pay all incorporation-related and other fees, which can amount to $750 or more.
• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Attendance, participation, presentation, and multiple assignments.
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no

Nonprofit Animal Law - Professor Cynthia von Schlichten

• Course Number: LAW-442 *Animal Law LLM and MSL Distance Students Only Fall 2023*
• Course Type: Highly Specialized
• Credits: 3
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
• Description:  Nonprofit organizations carry out much of the animal law work in the U.S. and around the world. This course addresses the day-to-day legal challenges an animal nonprofit organization might face and provides a foundation for how to manage and navigate those challenges. Among other broader topics relevant to running a nonprofit organization, the course will focus on legal issues of particular interest to animal nonprofits, including: animal rescue and adoptions; care and transportation of live animals across state lines; compliance with veterinary laws; property issues regarding rescued animals; and lobbying around relevant legislation. The course will also address the value of engaging in animal advocacy litigation, and related obstacles, such as standing.

In addition, the course will provide an overview of some common issues nonprofits face, including: employee and volunteer conflicts; fundraising and relevant tax compliance; risk management considerations; the protection of intellectual property rights; as well as day-to-day challenges involving contracts, brand protection, and in-house litigation matters. While the course will emphasize nonprofit animal law in the U.S., it will also include discussion and assignments addressing the challenges of animal nonprofit organizations all over the world. Students will be encouraged to explore their home countries’ own nonprofit model through assignments and discussions.

• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Discussion posts, Assignments, Quizzes, Final Project
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no