Overview
Steptoe & Johnson LLP has received the 2015 Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The firm was recognized at the ALDF’s 23rd Annual Animal Law Conference at the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon on October 17.
The award recognizes a firm’s dedication, expertise, and commitment of pro bono hours in helping ALDF achieve its mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. For example, Steptoe was recognized for its efforts to stop the sacrificing of chickens at an annual Hasidic religious event in Brooklyn. A New York team led by Sandra Cavazos and Shehzad Hasan represented the ALDF on this matter. Together, they mapped out a strategy of filing a federal lawsuit based on the Establishment Clause and premised on New York City’s repeated failure over the years to enforce various laws and ordinances when it comes to the practice of slaughtering chickens on public streets.
Steptoe attorney Cynthia Taub has also assisted ALDF with its on-going work to improve the conditions at Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) (commonly called “factory farms”), including legal strategies to challenge harmful CAFO practices.
This is the third time Steptoe has been presented with the Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award. The firm also received the award in 2011 and 2013.
For additional information on the ALDF, click here.
