main content Protecting Farmed Animals in Memory of Thomas Bloom Raskin

Growing up in Kentucky, where animal protection laws rank among the weakest in the nation, Megan Rosen witnessed firsthand the state’s failure to adequately protect animals. Determined to make a difference, she pursued a career in law to advocate for stronger legal protections. Now, we are delighted to announce that Megan, who is earning her LLM degree in Animal Law, has been named the first recipient of the Thomas Bloom Raskin Animal Protection Scholarship.

Recently established through a generous $50,000 gift from a former Lewis & Clark employee and long-time supporter of the Animal Law Program, this Scholarship was created and named in memory of Thomas Bloom Raskin. The donor was inspired by Tommy’s unwavering commitment to justice for all living beings. Tommy was a second year Harvard law student, passionate animal advocate, and the son of Congressman Jamie Raskin and Law Professor Sarah Bloom Raskin when he passed away. With the Raskin family’s gracious endorsement, this Scholarship continues Tommy’s legacy by providing a $10,000 tuition scholarship to an incoming Animal Law LLM who demonstrates both academic excellence and commitment to animal law, with priority given to applicants who are passionate about farmed animal protection.

Megan, who began her Animal Law LLM studies this spring semester, exemplifies the mission of the scholarship. A Kentucky attorney, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to animal law throughout her career. Over a decade ago, she co-founded the Animal Law Section of the Kentucky Bar Association, where she has served in various leadership roles from 2014 to 2022, including serving as Chair. Coming from an agricultural state where animal protection laws consistently lag behind, Megan is passionate about fueling progress locally.

“This scholarship means everything to me,” Megan says. “I am a midlife professional, a wife, a mother, and an attorney with a full-time career. I would like to work towards establishing a strategy to help Kentuckians change the way they think about animals. Kentucky is an agricultural state with relatively few urban areas or large universities, and extensive rural farmland and wilderness. Our animal laws are antiquated. I hope to learn, analyze, and apply what I learn in this program to the unique landscape in Kentucky.”

Megan earned her JD from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and her BA from the University of Kentucky. Her professional background includes serving as senior attorney adviser for the Social Security Administration, where she has been recognized for her exceptional legal skills, research abilities, and leadership.

Megan had dreamed of applying to the online Animal Law LLM program at Lewis & Clark Law School for years but hesitated due to financial concerns. “In 2024, I gathered the courage to apply, both for myself and in service to all Kentuckians, people and animals alike,” she shares. “Scholarship support has allowed me to accept the offer of admission without financial worry, to show my son the importance of pursuing that which we love, to focus on a program I have only dreamed of being part of, and to hopefully breathe new life into animal welfare in Kentucky.” The Center for Animal Law Studies congratulates Megan on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to supporting her journey as she works to create a better future for animals.

Applications for the fall 2025 academic year are now open for both the in-person and online Animal Law LLM programs and the Thomas Bloom Raskin Animal Protection Scholarship. The application window closes on May 1st. To apply for the Scholarship, interested prospective Animal Law LLM students must complete all materials for program application and in their personal statement, indicate that they are applying for the Tommy Raskin Animal Protection Scholarship. To learn more and apply, visit this link.

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law advocates and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter. CALS’ Alumni-in-Action from more than 30 countries are making a difference for animals around the world. CALS is a self-funded Center within the law school operating under the Lewis & Clark College 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and is able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.