Hofstra University Law Student Wins Special Committee on Animals and the Law's Student Writing Competition

• by New York State Bar Association

ALBANY, NY (08/12/2008)(readMedia)-- ALBANY-The New York State Bar Association's Special Committee on Animals and the Law presented Laurel McNeill of Huntington Station with its first-place award in its inaugural Student Writing Competition. McNeill received a cash prize of $500 and her paper will receive consideration for publication. Her submission, entitled "Giant Steps: The African Elephant and the United States' Effect on The Survival of The Species," examined the United States' laws and agencies responsible for perpetuating the existence of the elephant and suggested ways of doing more. McNeill, who will graduate from Hofstra University School of Law in 2010, was noted for exhibiting the highest quality of research, the most accurate and clear analysis, and the best technical writing.

The Special Committee on Animals and the Law was established to provide information resources for the Association's members and the public about non-human, animal-related humane issues, which arise from and have an effect upon our legal system. The student writing competition seeks to foster legal scholarship among law students in the area of animals and the law. In addition, the competition provides law students with an opportunity to prepare and submit articles to the Special Committee for possible publication in one of the New York State Bar Association's newsletters.

The 74,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, NYSBA programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years.

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