“A Worldview of Animal Law”: Interview with Bruce Wagman (vegan), Part 1 of 2

An expert strategist and true friend to animal-people, Bruce Wagman is a law attorney who has defended the rights and safety of people from the animal kingdom for almost three decades. His endeavors have covered a wide range of legal matters, including litigation, education, legislation, overseeing rescue operations, and consultation.

Mr. Wagman has published two major works, including the leading casebook for law schools nationwide, “Animal Law: Cases and Materials,” and a global survey of animal laws entitled “A Worldview of Animal Law.” Today, we are honored to invite Bruce Wagman to share his journey with us.

“My vegan journey began in 1992.” “I represent, as a lawyer, a whole number of animal welfare groups, like the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, many vegan organizations. And my work for them is based always on a pro-animal, for the animals, approach.” “I do cases for single animals and single individual clients, and I do cases that impact literally billions of animals, like chickens and pigs. So, the big farm animal cases impact so many billions of animals so, you could say those are the biggest successes.”

Mr. Wagman now talks about his toughest cases. Lawyer Bruce Wagman tells us what keeps him going. “So back in about early 2000s, I saw a very early film made by Farm Sanctuary. I think was the first version of ‘Peaceable Kingdom.’”

“So, Project Chimps came about in 2014, when we decided that we would ask the New Iberia Research Center in New Iberia, Louisiana, if they would let us rescue and retire their chimpanzees.” “And as of today, we’re in June of 2022 as we record this, we’ve got 90 chimpanzees, and we hope to have 200 eventually when we finish.”

Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Gladly present Bruce Wagman the Shining World Compassion Award with all love, gratitude, and best wishes as you continue to nobly safeguard the welfare of the animal-people. May God protect you and your loved ones always.”