Article About Renada Rutmanis The President Of Virginia Animal Law Society, University Of Virginia School Of Law, Charlottesville, VA And Information About Law Careers, Educational Career, Law Schools, Legal System, Animal Law Community And More.

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Renada Rutmanis: President of the Virginia Animal
Law Society, University of Virginia School of Law,
Charlottesville, VA
[By Mary Waldron]
Renada Rutmanis, 2L and president of the Virginia Animal Law Society at the University of Virginia, has dedicated
her educational and law careers to defending and helping others who are powerless to help themselves, whether they are
humans or not. When Rutmanis, a lifelong animal lover, started law school in 2005, she immediately gravitated toward
the Virginia Law Society because it differed from the child advocacy groups she was usually drawn to. Having come from
a two-year stay overseas, Rutmanis had been exposed to some of the harsh and sad realities that animals experience every
day, which led her to make a difference by speaking up for them. After her first semester with the animal advocacy group,
she became president, an opportunity that has inspired her to follow a career entailing work in the animal law community.
The Virginia Animal Law Society is The group works closely with the Animal which is part of the Legal Aid Justice Center
committed to establishing a forum for Legal Defense Fund, a national animal in Charlottesville. While she was there,
education, advocacy, and scholarship for advocacy group that has been fighting for Rutmanis was instrumental in working
the advancement of animal causes through the rights of animals since 1979; the Virginia on issues relating to foster care and
the legal system and working to make sure Animal Law Society considers Animal Legal education, as well as juvenile justice. This
animals are treated as humanely as possible. Defense to be its parent group. Much of the experience not only enhanced her strong
The group participates in pro bono work, Virginia Animal Law Society’s research has background in foster care and education but
hosts various speakers from the animal been initiated by the Animal Legal Defense also introduced her to the many ways that
law field, and sponsors student events and Fund and then taken to a local Charlottesville lawyers can advocate on behalf of children-
fundraisers. Rutmanis and the rest of her attorney. Members of the Animal Legal -through courts, legislative bodies, and the
board collaborate on and plan research Defense Fund have also visited and held community. Rutmanis’ internship experience
projects, fundraisers, and educational informative presentations at the university. helped her to solidify her post-graduation
campaigns. Rutmanis also networks and career goals.
joins forces with other animal advocacy After Rutmanis taught children overseas for
groups in Charlottesville, aiming to spread two years, specifically in orphanages, and Through her internship and law schooling
awareness of the realities of animal treatment witnessed the horrors of child trafficking and so far, Rutmanis has learned that it can be
throughout the world. Many law students neglect, she was driven to pursue a career a bit of a struggle to remain in tune with
and professionals are not acquainted with that would enable her to change the lives of public interest law work when a majority of
what animal law really entails, making the children she met more than she could emphasis is put on making lots of money and
consciousness-building an important just by teaching them. When a member of working for huge, powerful firms. She has
challenge for the group to address. her extended family was almost lost within discovered that you can find interesting and
the foster care system, Rutmanis realized fulfilling work in a legal sector that helps
The Virginia Animal Law Society is an that myriad children around the world others in need and still pay the bills.
invaluable asset to the University of Virginia, needed someone to speak up for them. “I
as no classes in the area of animal law are saw just how powerless kids swept up into
ON THE NET
offered at the school. The activities and that system can be and how badly they need
projects organized by this group provide advocates to speak and fight on their behalf,”
University of Virginia School of Law
proactive opportunities for students to get she said. Aiming toward a practice that
www.law.virginia.edu/html/index.htm
hands-on experience with their specific focuses on the needs of children, as well
career interests. They also connect students as animals, Rutmanis hopes to satisfy her
Animal Legal Defense Fund
who are seriously interested in continuing noble ambition to help those who cannot help
www.aldf.org
to study animal law to other students and themselves.
professionals in the field, developing a tight
network of individuals who are pushing for JustChildren
Last summer, Rutmanis dove into her
the same cause. www.justice4all.org/programs/justchildren
ambition by interning at JustChildren,
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