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Renada Rutmanis: President of the Virginia Animal Law Society, University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA

published December 11, 2006

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( 20 votes, average: 4.6 out of 5)
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The Virginia Animal Law Society is committed to establishing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship for the advancement of animal causes through the legal system and working to make sure animals are treated as humanely as possible. The group participates in pro bono work, hosts various speakers from the animal law field, and sponsors student events and fundraisers. Rutmanis and the rest of her board collaborate on and plan research projects, fundraisers, and educational campaigns. Rutmanis also networks and joins forces with other animal advocacy groups in Charlottesville, aiming to spread awareness of the realities of animal treatment throughout the world. Many law students and professionals are not acquainted with what animal law really entails, making consciousness-building an important challenge for the group to address.

The Virginia Animal Law Society is an invaluable asset to the University of Virginia, as no classes in the area of animal law are offered at the school. The activities and projects organized by this group provide proactive opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with their specific career interests. They also connect students who are seriously interested in continuing to study animal law to other students and professionals in the field, developing a tight network of individuals who are pushing for the same cause.


The group works closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a national animal advocacy group that has been fighting for the rights of animals since 1979; the Virginia Animal Law Society considers Animal Legal Defense to be its parent group. Much of the Virginia Animal Law Society's research has been initiated by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and then taken to a local Charlottesville attorney. Members of the Animal Legal Defense Fund have also visited and held informative presentations at the university.

After Rutmanis taught children overseas for two years, specifically in orphanages, and witnessed the horrors of child trafficking and neglect, she was driven to pursue a career that would enable her to change the lives of the children she met more than she could just by teaching them. When a member of her extended family was almost lost within the foster care system, Rutmanis realized that myriad children around the world needed someone to speak up for them. "I saw just how powerless kids swept up into that system can be and how badly they need advocates to speak and fight on their behalf," she said. Aiming toward a practice that focuses on the needs of children, as well as animals, Rutmanis hopes to satisfy her noble ambition to help those who cannot help themselves.

Last summer, Rutmanis dove into her ambition by interning at JustChildren, which is part of the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville. While she was there, Rutmanis was instrumental in working on issues relating to foster care and education, as well as juvenile justice. This experience not only enhanced her strong background in foster care and education but also introduced her to the many ways that lawyers can advocate on behalf of children—through courts, legislative bodies, and the community. Rutmanis' internship experience helped her to solidify her post-graduation career goals.

Through her internship and law schooling so far, Rutmanis has learned that it can be a bit of a struggle to remain in tune with public interest law work when a majority of emphasis is put on making lots of money and working for huge, powerful firms. She has discovered that you can find interesting and fulfilling work in a legal sector that helps others in need and still pay the bills.

See Top Law Schools Analyzed and Ranked By America's Top Legal Recruiter Harrison Barnes for more information.

published December 11, 2006

( 20 votes, average: 4.6 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.