The sixth annual Animal Rescue Law Forum, organized by Kevan Cleary P’12 and Tami Aisenson K’75 from New York County Lawyers Association, took place on March 14 in New York City. Each year, Hamilton students work as social media/communication interns to help promote the event.
This year’s interns were Akela Baldwin ’20 and Mian Osumi ’21 — Baldwin also interned last year. The interns managed the social media pages, reached out to various animal organizations, created the RSVP list, handled emails from interested individuals, and participated in weekly conference calls with Cleary and Aisenson. They also attended the forum, gathered footage of the event, and worked on social media postings.
The forum attracts lawyers, animal rights activists, and animal lovers to discuss current animal-related legal issues. This year’s topics were “Bringing Animal Abusers to Justice,” “Saving America’s Beloved Horses from Slaughter,” “Animal Protection Laws in Hong Kong,” and “Long Island Whale Route - Potential World Heritage Site?” The event was an incredible success with great feedback from attendees and lively discussions among attendees and speakers.
The event also proved the remarkable connection between Hamilton alumni and current students. Baldwin and Osumi reflected on their experiences and agreed that immersing themselves in a field of work that aligns with their personal and career interests was highly fulfilling and rewarding. The two are co-presidents of Vegan Club at Hamilton College and aspire to practice animal law and advocate for animal liberation.
