Litigation Program

Filing lawsuits that set precedent and change the law for animals

We take on factory farms, puppy mills, research labs, and roadside zoos in state and federal courts — building the legal foundation for a world where animals are protected, not exploited.

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Active Legal Matters
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Victories in the Last Year
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States Directly Impacted
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Attorneys & Legal Professionals

Three fronts in the fight for animal justice

Our litigation strategy targets the systems that enable exploitation — not just individual bad actors.

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Suing Exploiters Directly

We file high-impact lawsuits against factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos — the industries that profit from animal suffering.

02

Challenging Bad Law

We sue state and federal governments to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals — from ag-gag statutes to weak enforcement of existing protections.

03

Defending Good Law

When animal protection legislation comes under attack from industry groups, we intervene to defend the laws that animals — and voters — have fought hard to secure.

All Legal Matters

Challenging Texas's Food Label Censorship Law

Turtle Island Foods v. Abbott
Farmed Animals
Victory

Challenging Olympic Game Farm's Treatment of Animals

ALDF v. Olympic Game Farm
Captive Animals
Victory

Challenging Kansas's Ag-Gag Law

ALDF v. Kelly
Farmed Animals
Victory

Defending California's Proposition 12

Iowa Pork Producers v. Bonta
Farmed Animals
Active

Justice the Horse Sues Abuser

Justice v. Vercher
Companion Animals
Active

Challenging Backyard Butchers in Florida

Echgelmeier v. Hernandez
Farmed Animals
Victory

Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs

Vancleve v. Chien Et Chat (Barkworks)
Companion Animals
Victory

Challenging USDA on Beef Checkoff FOIA

ALDF v. USDA and AMS
Farmed Animals
Active
View All Legal Matters
Animal cruelty does not occur in a vacuum, and the failure to fully examine its origins would likely lead to future criminal acts and the continued cycle of abuse and violence.
— Hon. H. Lee Chitwood, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Pulaski, VA

Litigation Program Team

Experienced litigators dedicated to establishing justice for animals through the legal system.

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Anthony Eliseuson

Litigation Program Director
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Amanda Howell

Managing Attorney
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Christine Ball-Blakely

Senior Staff Attorney
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Cristina Kladis

Staff Attorney
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Emma McCapes

Litigation Coordinator
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Michael Swistara

Staff Attorney
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Sarah Rogers

Staff Attorney