Bruce A. Wagman

Partner

Bruce Wagman focuses his practice on animal law litigation, consultation and education. He has brought and tried multiple state and federal cases involving a wide range of animal law issues, including the following:

• Animal hoarding
• Cruelty
• Exotic animals in entertainment
• Biomedical research
• Farmed animals
• Complex animal injury cases
• Dog bite
• Animal ownership
• Veterinary malpractice
• Pet custody

Mr. Wagman has a nationwide practice and represents many animal protection groups, as well as individual clients. He is the author of the first casebook used in law schools on the subject (Animal Law).

Mr. Wagman is the Chief Outside Litigation Counsel of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and in that role oversees and devises ALDF's nationwide animal protection litigation program.

Experience

Mr. Wagman's illustrative representations include:

• Toni Penrod v. Robertson County, Kentucky
• Animal Legal Defense Fund et al. v. Sidney Jay Yost
• Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Veneman
• Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Woodley
• Chesley Morton et al. v. Georgia Department of Agriculture
• California Veterinary Medical Association v. City of West Hollywood
• Chimps, Inc. v. Primarily Primates — Two sanctuaries fought for and obtained permanent homes for nine gibbons and two chimpanzees who had been taken from a situation where they were exposed to daily neglect and cruelty.
• Cavel International, Inc. v. Madigan, 500 F.3d 551 (7th Cir. 2007) — Horse slaughter company sued to strike down an Illinois law banning horse slaughter for human consumption. Schiff Hardin represented amicus who briefed the case to a successful result in the Seventh Circuit, against arguments of preemption and commerce clause violations.
• A Dog's Life Rescue v. County of Los Angeles – Animal rescue group sued Los Angeles for repeated violations of state law requiring the provision of veterinary care and a pre-euthanasia holding period for animals surrendered to county-run shelters. The case was settled very favorably, with the county agreeing to change all relevant policies and practices and continued monitoring by plaintiff.
• Earlier in his career, Mr. Wagman argued and prevailed for defendants in an asbestos action before the Alaska Supreme Court. The court adopted the arguments made in Mr. Wagman's brief, and awarded attorneys' fees to defendants.

Publications

Animal Law (co-author) — the first casebook for animal law courses in law schools is now in the Fourth Edition.

"Actions Involving Injuries to Animals," American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts (3d Series)

"Advancing Tribal Sovereign Immunity as a Pathway to Power," 27 U.S.F.L.R. 419 (1993)

"Second Bites at the Jurisdictional Apple: A Proposal for Preventing False Assertions of Diversity of Citizenship," 41 Hastings L.J. 1417 (1990)

Speeches and Presentations

Mr. Wagman lectures across the country on animal law issues on a regular basis.

Pro Bono Activities

Mr. Wagman does a significant amount of pro bono work in the animal protection field, including the A Dog's Life Rescue and Cavel v. Madigan cases discussed above.

Mr. Wagman is also a member of the board of birectors of two animal protection organizations and two exotic animal sanctuaries.

Previous Experience

Mr. Wagman was an operating room nurse at the University of California, San Francisco Hospitals and Clinics where he specialized in cardiac and general surgery.

Awards and Honors

American Jurisprudence Awards — Torts, Property, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Federal Courts

Northern California Super Lawyers, General Litigation

Education

Clerkships

Honorable William H. Orrick, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (1991-1992)

Teaching Appointments

Adjunct Professor, Animal Law:

• University of California Hastings — College of the Law
• University of California, Berkeley — Boalt Hall School of Law
• Stanford Law School
• University of San Francisco School of Law

Professional Memberships

Bar Association of San Francisco

Appellate Practice Section

Animal Law Group

Civic and Charitable Memberships

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Board of Directors
      Vice Chair

Marin County Humane Society
Board of Directors

Chrissie's Fund
Board of Directors

Chimps, Inc.
Board of Directors