We’re excited to announce that Matthew Dominguez has joined the Nonhuman Rights Project as our new Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. He will be supporting the NhRP’s mission to secure legal personhood for nonhuman animals by working with our allies and supporters outside the courtroom.
Reflecting on joining the NhRP, Matthew said, “It’s beyond humbling and an honor to join an organization with such a stellar reputation, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to securing rights for nonhuman animals. I pledge to work tirelessly to effectuate a change in our legal system where the fundamental and inherent rights of nonhuman animals are no longer ignored but fully recognized.”
Matthew’s passion for animal rights ignited when he took NhRP President Steven M. Wise’s Animal Rights and Jurisprudence Seminar and read Rattling the Cage while a student at Lewis & Clark Law School six years ago. Matthew then decided to dedicate his life to helping animals. After graduating from law school, he began his career working to protect farmed animals.
As Director of Public Policy for the Humane Society of the United States, Matthew pioneered the organization’s legislative campaigns to protect farmed animals from abuse. He is responsible for advancing legislation that outlawed some of the worst factory farming cruelties while leading the organization’s efforts to defeat over thirty anti-whistleblowers “ag-gag” bills. His work has been covered by the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and other major outlets across the country. He has now turned his attention to gaining legal rights for nonhuman animals.
The NhRP’s expansion into the arena of government relations and public policy signals our continued commitment to using every tool available to effectively represent our clients: nonhuman animals. We’re confident Matthew will use his extensive skills and passion to help us achieve legal personhood for nonhuman animals.
You can read Matthew’s bio here and follow him on Twitter at @Matt_Dominguez.