The Captive Animal Law Enforcement (CALE) division of the PETA Foundation’s legal department is seeking an attorney to join our multidisciplinary team of lawyers, veterinarians, and captive wildlife specialists working to end the exploitation of wild animals in roadside zoos, circuses, and other traveling shows.
Our team gets laws enforced, develops ideas for innovative litigation, influences policy, brings media attention to PETA’s work, and encourages the public to speak up for captive animals languishing in squalor. We’ve rescued tigers from Joe Exotic and other Tiger King hellholes, prevented sleazy shopping mall aquariums from opening, stopped circuses from exporting endangered animals for their shows, and more.
The right candidate will be a concise and persuasive writer with strong oral advocacy skills. They will have a demonstrated commitment to animal rights and to PETA’s mission to dismantle speciesism (the misguided belief that humans are superior to other animals and therefore may oppress and exploit them).
Position Objective:
To provide legal advice, assistance, and representation on a wide range of issues that arise from PETA’s work on behalf of captive wildlife, including PETA’s campaigns, regulatory and law enforcement efforts, policy work, litigation, and investigations.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:
• In consultation with the PETA Foundation and its clients and verified compliance with the objectives, standards, and requirements communicated by them:
o Develop, implement, and revise legal, regulatory, policy, legislative, and media strategies relating to captive wildlife
o Research, interpret, and apply local, state and federal statutes, regulations, and case law
o Lead efforts to convince local authorities to reject animal acts and other forms of animal exploitation
o Prepare complaints and enforcement requests to prosecutors and government agencies
o Assist in the development and management of litigation related to captive wildlife
o Develop and maintain relationships with exotic animal experts and consultants
o Prepare petitions for rulemaking and comments to agencies on proposed rulemaking and permit applications
o Communicate with government agencies, law enforcement officials, and nonprofit organizations in furtherance of the listed responsibilities and duties
o Assist PETA campaigners, caseworkers, researchers, and staff with a wide array of legal issues that arise in their work
o Identify opportunities to publicize PETA's work related to captive wildlife
o Represent clients to the public and local and national media outlets as authorized
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor
• J.D. degree and a minimum of one year of post-law school legal experience
• Expertise in animal law, administrative law, environmental law, and/or criminal law
• Member in good standing of a state bar association
• Proven excellent legal research, writing, and verbal advocacy skills
• Proven excellent project-management, strategic-thinking, and analytical skills
• Proven excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven meticulous attention to detail
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks within strict time constraints
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Support for PETA's philosophy and the ability to advocate PETA's positions on issues professionally
• Willingness and ability to travel on occasion
• Commitment to the objectives of the organization
• Adherence to a healthy vegan lifestyle
The salary range for this position is $65,000.00 to $80,000.00 annually. The ultimate salary within this range that will be offered to a qualified candidate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the cost of living in the area in which the candidate will live and work.
A list of benefits available to qualified employees is available here.
Application Deadline:
Applications for this position will be accepted until December 25, 2024.
We may fill this job opening before the deadline if we find a qualified candidate.