Diego Plaza, a renowned Chilean animal rights advocate and nonprofit leader, commenced his legal journey at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, subsequently acquiring an LLM in Animal Law at Lewis & Clark, earning distinguished honors. Diego has engaged in academic pursuits at renowned universities globally, disseminating his groundbreaking insight in animal law.
His affiliations with world-class entities like the Animal Legal Defense Fund, as a consulting expert, and his association with the Global Research Network’s Animal & Biodiversity Think Tank Programme, underscored his substantial influence in animal rights. He founded the Center for Animal Law Studies CEDA Chile and the Fundación Justicia Interespecie, marking key leadership roles and pioneering groundbreaking strategic litigations, notably the inaugural habeas corpus petition for a non-human animal in Chile.
Currently, as the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at WMILAR, Diego continues to wield his influence, propagating his vision for international animal rights recognition and protection. His scholarly outputs, encompassing books and international project collaborations, exemplify his unwavering commitment to advancing animal law on a global scale. With a natural aptitude for leadership and transformative vision, Diego inspires generations, fostering meaningful and sustainable change in societal and legal perspectives on non-human animals.
Lewis & Clark provided me with a comprehensive grounding in animal law, sharpening my skills and deepening my understanding of the complex legal frameworks surrounding animal rightsThis equipped me to become a more impactful, enlightened advocate for non-human animals.