Student Conference
The annual Student Animal Law Conference will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at the Toronto Metropolitan University in the International Living & Learning Centre (ILC building) at 240 Jarvis St.
​
The Student Animal Law Conference is an opportunity for Canadian law students to meet, network, and learn from each other and animal law leaders. Students from other countries are also welcome to join. Click here to learn about how to apply for a student travel grant.​​​​
​
​
​
​
Careers Panel and Roundtable with Animal Justice Lawyers
Sponsored by:
10:10am - 11:40am
Introductions from Camille Labchuk and Kip Phillips
10:00am - 10:10am
Registration
9:30am - 10:00am
Animal Justice Executive Director, Camille Labchuk and Student Program Lawyer, Kip Phillips welcome students to our student conference.
Be part of an engaging panel discussion featuring lawyers from Animal Justice, Canada’s leading national animal law advocacy organization. Camille Labchuk, Alexandra Pester, Ben Delanghe and Pierre Sadik will answer questions about pursuing a career in animal rights law, share personal career paths, and offer insights into this growing legal field.
​
New this year!
​
Following the panel, students will have the unique opportunity to participate in small-group roundtable discussions with Animal Justice lawyers. These sessions are designed for individual questions, in-depth conversations, and thoughtful discussion on current topics in animal rights law.
​
This is a rare chance to connect directly with professionals working at the forefront of animal law in Canada.
Fri, Sept 26
11:40am - 12:40pm
Networking Lunch with Animal Law Career Professionals
The Networking Lunch will include a delicious plant-based lunch and the opportunity to chat with animal rights lawyers.
12:40pm - 2:00pm
The Advocacy Arena: Exploring Debate and Lobbying in Animal Law
Join us for a dynamic, student-led debate where teams will go head-to-head on two thought-provoking issues in animal rights law, armed with research and resources provided in advance.
​
Topic 1: The power of legislative reform vs the power of the common law to influence change for animals in Canada.
Topic 2: Which model is better for animals? Is a rights based model the best approach to give animals rights vs incremental change for animals as undertaken in the welfare based model.
​
After the debate, our esteemed panel of judges will lead a debrief and open discussion on what makes advocacy and lobbying truly effective in advancing animal rights law.
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Afternoon Break
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Presentation on Animals as Rights Holders
A presentation by recent legal graduate, Adam Clasky.
2:45pm - 3:15pm
Student Presentations
The winners of Animal Justice's Student Animal Law Research Paper Contest will share and discuss their essay topics with the other students.
3:15pm - 4:00pm
Advocating for Animals: The Domino Effect
Animal Justice Lawyer Alanna Devine will deliver the closing keynote, offering a compelling look – through her own journey – how small, individual actions and large-scale initiatives can build on one another to create lasting change for animals.