Michelle A. Newton, Esq.
Co-Chair, NJSBA Animal Law Committee
Dennigan Cahill Smith, LLC, Princeton

Hon. Linda R. Feinberg, AJSC (Ret.)
Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, PC, Lawrenceville

Animal law continues to be a practice area undergoing significant growth and change. While animal law was once considered to be a narrow-focused topic, it is becoming ever farther-reaching as legal issues involving animals are taking center stage in family law, criminal law, education law, employment law, disability law and other contexts.

Join expert practitioners, judges and an attorney/veterinarian for the 2019 symposium as they delve into some of the hottest topics in animal law. They will discuss domestic violence and the inclusion of pets in restraining orders, the latest bills to protect “dangerous” animals, issues re: service and emotional support animals in the workplace, public places and educational settings, domestic violence attacks against pets, the newest livestock and poultry regulations, efforts to change the legal status of animals from property and more. Plus, don’t miss the all-important case law and statutory update.

The day will end with a delightful visit by an animal shelter so that you can meet some of the four-legged friends available for adoption.

• Legislative update, including the essential provisions of bills recently
  signed by Governor Murphy and a discussion of whether they go far
  enough:
        - Rocky’s law, which requires the mandatory registration of animal   
           rescue organizations and also mandates animal rescues, pet shops,
           shelters, or pounds notify people adopting or purchasing an animal
           of an animal’s behavioral and medical history
        - S2674 which revised the standard for warrantless seizure of 
           animals at risk due to a violation of the law concerning necessary
           care and tethering
        - S1923, which changes municipal court requirements to allow more
          consideration of abusive circumstances in cases where dogs are at 
          risk of euthanasia. The bill also prohibits courts from declaring a 
          dog to be potentially dangerous for causing bodily injury in the act
          of defending its owner from a person committing or attempting to 
          commit a crime against them
        - N.J.A.C. 13:44-4.1 which contains updates regarding the proper 
          care of livestock and poultry and the regulations re: a veterinary
          feed directive

• Domestic violence and the inclusion of pets in restraining orders