In November of 2022, VLGS student Daria Bednarczyk (pictured far right) participated in the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Student Convention presenting her paper, “Behind Closed Doors—The Fettered Lives of Farmed Animals: Deficits of Legal Protections Afforded to Farm Animals in Natural Disasters.” This one-day event provided an opportunity for law students to receive career advice from leaders in the animal law field, provided a chance to network with law students from schools across the country, and provided students who participated in a workshop to develop their written and presentation skills.
Ms. Bednarczyk graduated from VLGS last spring with a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy. During her time here, she learned more about animal protection issues and was inspired to continue her education in the JD program to advocate for wildlife, companion animals, farmed animals, and animals in captivity.
She shared, “The ALDF Student Law Conference was a tremendous experience for me. Being surrounded by like-minded animal advocates truly invigorated my passion for Vermont Law & Graduate School’s JD animal law program and animal advocacy as a whole. The conference organizers and attendees were extremely welcoming, supportive, and energetic. This experience leaves me hopeful that the message to improve the welfare and handling of farmed animals will be heard in the wider community. I thank the ALDF and VLGS for the opportunity to present at such a prestigious event.”
You may view the entire recording here, with Ms. Bednarczyk’s presentation beginning at 2:05:30.