“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
– Mahatma Gandhi, Statesperson and Philosopher

Classed as property, animals have no legal voice: they need lawyers to advocate for them. Lawyers for Animals is a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of animals through education and law.

Despite popular perception, Australian law offers very little protection for animals. In particular, the vast majority of animals in human care in this country – some 500 million production animals – are excluded from the protection of our existing animal welfare legislation. Instead, their treatment is governed by industry ‘codes of practice’. Because these codes are inadequate and ill-enforced, millions of farm animals daily endure housing conditions and acts of cruelty that are illegal for a cat or dog.

Lawyers for Animals believes this is an injustice that should invoke compassion and action – not apathy. Our objectives are to alleviate the suffering of animals by:

• engaging with those who create or administer laws in Australia to strengthen legal protection for animals;
• promoting better animal welfare practices amongst animal-related industries in Australia;
• developing awareness of animal suffering among the legal profession and wider Australian public, and offering practical ways to reduce it; and
• encouraging the development of animal law subjects within Australian universities.

Lawyers for Animals’ activities include:

• communicating with politicians and making submissions on Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and other laws and policies affecting animals;
• assisting other animal welfare groups with their work;
• developing educational materials;
• publishing articles;
• promoting awareness of animal suffering through public-speaking and other events (e.g. during Victorian Law Week); and
• providing services via our Animal Law Clinic (ALC).

Membership of Lawyers for Animals and participation in our volunteer program is open to all who care about the welfare of animals – not just lawyers. Please see how to support us.

Animal Law Clinic

If you require legal advice, we refer you to the Animal Law Clinic (ALC). The ALC is a joint initiative of Lawyers for Animals and Fitzroy Legal Service. The ALC provides free legal advice on matters relating to animals, including restricted dog breed laws, animal welfare, and animal rights.

If you have a legal issue, please contact Fitzroy Legal Service using the enquiry form on the FLS website to make an appointment at the ALC, which operates on Wednesday evenings.

All appointments are conducted at Fitzroy Legal Service at 126 Moor St, Fitzroy, Victoria. From 2021, the ALC will resume with telephone appointments, which is all explained on our Clinic page.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide legal advice outside of the Animal Law Clinic.

Advice cannot be provided by email or telephone (outside of telephone appointments during ALC hours).

 

MEET OUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Andelka Obradovic, Co-President and Treasurer

Andelka holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). Andelka worked as an occupational therapist for many years prior to studying law and making the career change in 2017. Andelka has spent most of her career in law working in the community legal sector centre with vulnerable clients and in 2025 established her own practice. Andelka has a longstanding strong interest in promoting and protecting human and animal rights.

Sarah Sajinovic, Co-President

Sarah Sajinovic is a compassionate lawyer and holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in International Studies and Human Rights Theory and a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor). Sarah’s day-to-day practice is spent protecting and enforcing her client’s intellectual property rights. In her role with LFA, Sarah aims to use the law as a tool to advocate and see changes implemented which benefit and protect animals from so much unwarranted exploitation.

Henry Elias, Secretary

Paula Carlesso, Communications Officer

Paula is an Australian legal practitioner with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Diploma of Financial Services. Practicing since 2022, she works primarily in commercial and property law. Paula is passionate about advancing justice for animals and hopes to formally advocate on their behalf in the future.

Nichola Donovan, General Member

Nichola Donovan, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, is an animal (including human) rights lawyer. In 2007 she was employed by LFA as its first Legal Projects Officer. She currently practises animal and refugee law in a voluntary capacity. Nichola is a committed anti-speciesist and enjoys a strong affinity with animals which inspires her to seek justice for them.

Moira Rayner, General Member

Moira Rayner is a sole legal practitioner based in the Melbourne CBD.  She is an accredited mediator, investigator and trains firefighters.  In terms of LFA, she is a supervising lawyer at LFA’s Animal Law Clinic. Moira is a former Commissioner for Human Rights and Equal Opportunity, having served in that capacity in Victoria and Western Australia and a former federal Hearings Commissioner.  She is an enthusiastic community foster group supporter.

Robyn Chatwood, General Member

Robyn Chatwood is a Victorian qualified lawyer with over 20 years’ experience, including 7 years of experience in London UK.  She is a partner in an international law firm based in Melbourne with a practice specialising in technology and privacy and commercialisation of intellectual property.  She has been a member of Lawyers for Animals and Animals Australia for many years and is a former treasurer of Lawyers for Animals.  Robyn has a Bachelor of Economics, a Masters of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor.  She is passionate about animals and loves interacting with them at every opportunity.  

Renee Bowker,General Member

Renee Bowker is an Australian legal practitioner holding a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) and a Juris Doctor. She currently works in litigation and engages in animal and refugee law on a voluntary basis. Renee has a long-standing passion for animal welfare and rights and is committed to making a meaningful impact in these areas throughout her career.