About Us

“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 Protection Law Clinic (APLC).

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 PROTECTION LEGAL CLINIC (APLC)

LFA’s Animal Protection Legal Clinic (APLC) is run in partnership with Fitzroy Legal Service.

The clinic provides free legal advice on matters relating to animals, including restricted dog breed laws, animal welfare, and animal rights.

If legal advice is required, please refer to the Free Legal Clinic page for booking details.

MEET OUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Nichola Donovan, President

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 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

Lauren Hadolt, Vice President

Lauren Hadolt is a dual-qualified solicitor admitted to practise in Australia and England & Wales. She practises in litigation and dispute resolution in Hobart, Tasmania.

Lauren has been involved with LFA since 2015. Her passion for animals and commitment to improving their welfare began at an early age, inspired by the many companion animals who have shared her life. She believes the law can be a powerful tool for advancing animal protection and is proud to contribute to LFA’s work in driving meaningful legal change for animals.

Henry Elias, Secretary

As Secretary, Henry Elias assists with the governance and administration of the organisation, helping to ensure its effective operation and supporting its mission to advance animal law through education, advocacy and legal reform. He is passionate about using the law as a tool to improve outcomes for animals and contributes to Lawyers for Animals’ work in collaboration with fellow committee members, volunteers and the broader legal community.

Renee Bowker, Treasurer

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.

Robyn Chatwood, Communications Officer
 
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.  

Pigs

Of the many animals exposed to the horrors of factory farming, pigs have perhaps suffered the most.

Despite having personalities and intellects similar to dogs, sows are kept almost continually pregnant, and confined to stalls where they are unable to turn around or express their natural behaviours.

The chronic stress means they spend much of their time engaged in purposeless behaviour, such as head waving or bar biting.

Prior to giving birth, sows are moved to farrowing crates; barren, concrete enclosures where mother pigs spend weeks at a time on their bellies as they wean their young. They have no chance to form any lasting bond with their offspring.


THE LAW

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