Animal Law

Our practice is also dedicated to the protection of animals and their legal rights. We represent individual clients and animal welfare organizations in actions to protect and defend the interests and rights of animals and their owners.

While the practice of animal law is relatively new, it is a rapidly emerging field. Ten years ago, there were only a handful of law schools teaching courses on animal law; today, there are over 70 law schools throughout the country that teach this topic in some form or another. This change coincides with our society’s increased understanding and acceptance of the importance of animals in our lives.

We are the largest law firm in Massachusetts with an animal law practice. This work includes, but is not limited to, representing individual clients in veterinary malpractice cases involving the wrongful death of a companion animal, successfully appealing “vicious disposition” determinations by municipalities both at the town level and in the district court and working with nonprofits challenging the actions of over-reaching state agencies.

Our firm can assist you in cases where someone having temporary custody and control of your animal, such as a groomer or a pet sitter, acts negligently or recklessly and causes injury to your animal. We will assist you in housing disputes that involve the keeping of animals in a rental or condominium unit. In addition, our estate planning team has experience drafting documents to protect your companion animals upon your death.

We also represent many animal shelters, nonprofits and volunteer animal protection organizations. We have advised these clients about regulatory requirements and the organizational aspects of non-profit organizations and corporate governance. Our firm can assist your organization in bringing actions to prevent the systemic abuse and exploitation of animals in various industries. We will also represent your organization in suits against government agencies to challenge agency determinations or to ensure that an agency properly protects and enforces the legal rights that have been granted to animals.

Please contact an animal law specialist at Glickman Turley LLP for an initial consultation.