Bruce A. Wagman

Practice Areas: Animal Law, Appellate

Bruce Wagman, a legal professional affiliated with Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, has dedicated nearly thirty years to utilizing his legal expertise and finely honed abilities to champion the rights of animals across all sectors of society. His efforts have not only advanced the interests of both animals and society at large but have also contributed to their mutual well-being. A notable distinction is that he stands as the sole attorney within a prominent United States law firm who exclusively specializes in animal law. In this capacity, he engages in litigation, crafts legislation favoring animals, supervises rescue missions, and offers guidance to clients who are invested in the care and safeguarding of animals.

Bruce Wagman’s influence extends through the publication of two significant works: the primary casebook on animal law employed by law schools throughout the nation, titled “Animal Law: Cases and Materials,” and an all-encompassing global analysis of animal laws named “A Worldview of Animal Law.” Beyond legal academia, Bruce initiated Project Chimps, an establishment dedicated to providing sanctuary for nearly a hundred chimpanzees retired from research laboratories.

Embracing a comprehensive spectrum of animal-related legal matters, Bruce Wagman addresses cases spanning from animal usage in entertainment and biomedical research to animal agriculture, food production, cruelty, and wildlife preservation. While he boasts an extensive track record in representing clients in pivotal “impact litigation,” he also takes pleasure in assisting individuals in cases concerning dog bites, disputes over animal custody, and injuries involving animals.

Bruce’s clientele encompasses an array of animal protection entities and private individuals. His advocacy spans various species, encompassing alpacas, bears, birds, cats, chickens, chinchillas, chimpanzees, cows, deer, dogs, dolphins, ducks, elephants, elk, ferrets, geese, goats, gorillas, domestic and wild horses, lions, mice, monkeys, pigs, rabbits, sharks, turkeys, whales, and wolves.