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Women of Distinction

Suzana Gartner, J.D., LL.M.

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

By Judith A. Habert

Suzana Gartner has made it her mis- ing. Suzana deals mainly with compan- to resolve the party’s issues in an amicable
sion in life to speak for those who have no ion animals -advocating for dogs, cats, manner and conclude to a peaceful and
voice of their own. Suzana is an Animal and horses, however, she has also spent harmonious resolution. I am happy to say
Rights Lawyer, Mediator, Consultant, considerable time outside of her practice that California is one of the first states that
Animal Advocate and Activist. lobbying for farm animals and wildlife. have recognized the best interests of the
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, I asked Suzana to share what an Ani- animal when couples are going through
her family moved to Canada when she was mal Rights Lawyer did in her day-to-day divorces when dealing with pet custody
an infant. operations. disputes.”
Her interest in animals surfaced at As a side note, California is also the
an early age, “My moms recalls when I first state to ban the sale and manufacture
was quite young this passion for helping of new fur products and the third to bar
animals emerged proven with my habit of most animals from circus performances
rescuing feral and stray cats in the neigh- under a pair of bills signed in mid-Octo-
borhood as a young girl.” Over her lifetime ber. This law bars residents from selling or
she would continue rescuing animals in a making clothing, shoes, or handbags with
variety of ways. fur. This law will take effect in 2023.
Suzana and her husband moved to Sometimes individuals take on the
Newport Beach, California in 2005, while responsibility of adopting a pet with-
he finished his medical training. Her out really thinking through the process.
first son Andrew was born in California, Also, certain animals are more likely to
however, they returned to Canada shortly be victims of abuse and neglect. Horses,
after so her husband could start his prac- for example, are often purchased, and the
tice. “My interest in animals continued individual does not realize how expensive
throughout my life. No matter where we it is to own one and cannot afford the
lived, I've always volunteered at animal boarding and upkeep. As a result, there-
shelters.” fore, horses can become victims of animal
Suzana knew that she wanted to be neglect and abandonment.
the voice for these innocent creatures So, if you love animals and are think-
however, at the time she had never heard ing you might want to get into a similar
of an Animal Rights Attorney. “At the time field, what should you do? Suzana shared
the profession did not really exist. So my the following: “In my case after I complet-
career took a few paths, but it eventually ed my law degree, I worked for a while
led me to Animal Law. I took a gamble “I spend a great deal of time work- and then went back to school to obtain a
and opened the first animal law practice ing to initiate change in the legal system master’s of law degree. I was fortunate to
in Canada, Gartner & Associates Animal where animals are concerned because have a law professor who understood what
Law and Mediation Services. My firm is unfortunately, even though they are living I wanted to do and allowed me to write my
dedicated to protecting the interests of an- breathing creatures they are still regarded master of law thesis focusing on Animal
imals through negotiation and mediation. as a person’s property in many states. In Law. I did a lot of volunteer work around
The firm provides services in these areas: my practice area, I deal most frequently animals and volunteered with politicians
pet custody/ownership disputes, denial with pet custody disputes. So, for instance lobbying the government to change the
of pet insurance claims, breeder disputes, if a couple is divorcing, it will often come laws pertaining to animal rights.”
dog breed bans, pet condominium issues, down to who gets to keep the dog or what Today there are several law schools
dangerous dog order appeals, negligence kind of shared custody agreement we can with a curriculum around animal rights
cases, pet boarding disputes, equine/horse work out so both individuals are happy so you can focus on this course of study in
law, pet estate matters, rescue start-ups, and the dog’s best interest is considered. law school now, which they did not offer
lobbying work, and much more.” I mediate these types of disputes with my when Suzana was in school.
Suzana launched her practice almost main focus being that the companion an- Suzana admits that there was a lot of
six years ago and today business is boom- imal is safe, loved, and wanted. My goal is pressure in the beginning of her practice

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