Source: https://www.rshc-law.com/attorneys/attorney/bruce-wagman
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 05:55:29+00:00

Document:
For almost three decades, Bruce Wagman has been using his legal education and well-honed skills to help animals in all sectors of society, and benefit both society and the animals themselves. He is the only lawyer running an exclusive animal law practice in a major United States firm. He litigates, drafts animal-friendly legislation, oversees rescue operations, and consults clients who care for and protect animals. He has published two major works, the leading casebook for law schools nationwide -- Animal Law: Cases and Materials -- and a global survey of animal laws, A Worldview of Animal Law, the only global survey of animal law. Bruce also founded Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary that is home to chimpanzees retired from a research laboratory.
Bruce’s forte is the kind of creative lawyering it takes to fit animal interests into the legal world, and his clients regularly applaud his ability to model solutions and take on the toughest problems. His practice covers a broad range of animal-related legal issues -- including cases involving the use of animals in entertainment, biomedical research, animal agriculture/food production, animal cruelty, and wildlife control. He has a long history of wide-ranging “impact litigation,” but he also loves to work with individuals on cases involving dog bites, animal custody disputes, and injuries to, and caused by, animals. Bruce brings an undeniable passion for each of his cases, a dedication to both his human clients and the animals involved, and he has a proven ability to turn that passion into winning arguments both in and out of the courtroom. He takes an “eyes on the prize” approach to all of his matters.
Bruce’s clients include numerous animal protection organizations as well as private individuals. He has worked on behalf of many species, including alpacas, bears, birds, cats, chickens, chinchillas, chimpanzees, cows, deer, dogs, dolphins, ducks, elephants, elk, ferrets, geese, goats, gorillas, horses (domestic and wild), lions, mice, monkeys, pigs, rabbits, sharks, turkeys, whales, and wolves.
Humane Society of the United States v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service – served as lead counsel on the multi-year case, obtained affirmance by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals of federal Endangered Species Act protection for gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes states, upholding a federal court ruling stating the wolves’ delisting was illegal.
National Meat Association v. Brown (U.S. Supreme Court) – Defended California law requiring humane treatment of animals too sick or injured to stand or walk; prevailed at the Ninth Circuit.
Humane Society of the United States v. Jewell – obtained order vacating federal government’s decision to remove endangered species protection for gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes.
Statutory defense – Bruce has been involved in the defense of several animal protection statutes including laws protecting wildlife, animals raised for food, sharks, and dogs and cats.
Front Range Equine Rescue v. Vilsack – Obtained temporary restraining order preventing the initiation of commercial horse slaughter for human consumption; part of a multifaceted administrative/legislative program to end horse slaughter in the United States.
Front Range Equine Rescue v. Jewell – Sued federal government for dangerous and untested surgical sterilization “research” on wild mares; in response, federal agency dropped the program while summary judgment briefing was pending.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and Project Chimps – Negotiated release of chimpanzees from biomedical research laboratories, and founding member of board of directors providing the chimpanzees permanent sanctuary in Georgia and Washington State.
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Woodley – Using unique North Carolina law, ALDF successfully sued animal abusers, resulting in rescue of approximately 350 dogs and 21 birds from an animal hoarder who kept the dogs warehoused in squalid conditions. After winning the dogs, Bruce assisted with the appeal, physical rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term foster care for all of the dogs.
Chesley Morton et al. v. Georgia Department of Agriculture – Oversaw team that sued the state of Georgia Department of Agriculture to enforce Georgia's Humane Euthanasia Act and help put an end to the illegal and inhumane gassing of domestic animals in Georgia's animal shelters.
Chimps, Inc. v. Primarily Primates – Represented two sanctuaries and fought for and obtained permanent homes for nine gibbons and two chimpanzees that had been taken from a situation where they were exposed to daily neglect and cruelty.
Animal custody – Bruce has represented clients in several cases involving disputes over pets, which range from mediation and negotiation to extended civil litigation.
Dog bites/vicious and dangerous dogs – Bruce has had over 30 cases defending the owners of dogs threatened with designation as “vicious” and/or “dangerous”, in order to prevent the imposition of restrictions or euthanasia after bite incidents.
Bruce is a frequent speaker at animal welfare legal conferences. He also teaches animal law classes at three Bay Area law schools and is a guest lecturer at law schools across the country.
Bruce engages in significant pro bono work, both in his litigation and consultation practice. He is a board member and adviser to several organizations including Marin Humane Society, Project Chimps, and the United States Equine Rescue League.

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