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Pro Bono Reporter Volume 21 Summer 2016 5
ANIMAL DEFENSE
San Francisco Team Helps Ensure Discontinuation of Orca
Breeding Program
San Francisco attorneys
Tyson Smith
,
Louis Campbell,
and
Drew Mayer
represented the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and the Shea Shepherd
Conservation Society as intervenors in a lawsuit filed by SeaWorld Entertainment
against the California Coastal Commission. The Coastal Commission had approved
a SeaWorld San Diego tank expansion for orcas—but only under the condition that
SeaWorld end its breeding program for captive orcas. ALDF had been the main
proponent of imposing that condition based on the substantial evidence of harm to
captive orcas, which had recently been documented in a successful film,
Blackfish
.
SeaWorld sued the Commission to challenge the validity of the condition. While
the case was pending, SeaWorld announced its intention to end its captive orca
breeding program and phase out orca shows. This represents a significant victory
for our clients’ efforts to address the harm to orcas in captivity and reflects evolving
public opinion on animal welfare issues.
San Francisco Team Secures Compliance with Settlement Protecting
Cliff Swallows
San Francisco partner
Jennifer Golinveaux
and associate
Joe Mornin
represented a
number of California environmental groups in
enforcing a settlement agreement reached
between the groups and the California
Department of Transportation (“Caltrans”),
requiring Caltrans to monitor and protect
migratory cliff swallows during a major bridge
construction project in Sonoma County. The environmental groups had significant
concerns over Caltrans’ compliance with the settlement going into the 2016 cliff
swallow nesting season. The Winston team was able to help secure additional
protections and monitoring for the cliff swallows, and was awarded Certificates of
Appreciation by local Audubon chapters for their work enforcing the settlement.
Tyson Smith
Jennifer Golinveaux
Charlotte Partner Kobi Brinson Dances with the Stars for the Benefit of
Legal Services
Charlotte partner
Kobi Kennedy Brinson
danced for justice at the Charlotte Ballet’s
Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte gala. Competitors not only competed on stage,
they also enlisted the support of individuals to sponsor their performance. Kobi
excelled at both efforts. Her amazing performance earned her two 9s and a 10 from
the judges. Her dedicated fundraising efforts raised more than $85,000 to benefit
Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, Legal Aid of North Carolina-Charlotte, and
the Charlotte Ballet. Kobi was the first competitor in this event to designate funds to
legal services. This is a tremendous lift for these organizations and will help benefit
many Charlotte residents seeking legal services.
Kobi Brinson dancing with
partner Addul Manzano
Cliff swallows nesting