Jaclyn's Bio

Jaclyn Leeds is a nonprofit lawyer and executive director dedicated to strengthening the legal infrastructure of the animal protection movement. She leads Animal Defense Partnership, a public interest legal nonprofit that provides free legal counsel to organizations advocating for animals and promoting plant-based change.

Jaclyn began her legal career representing grassroots animal organizations on governance, compliance, and strategic advising. She later moved into nonprofit leadership, overseeing programs and communications for a regional organization focused on plant-based education and advocacy. Throughout her career, Jaclyn has supported a wide range of U.S.-based organizations working to protect farmed animals, companion animals, wildlife, and animals used in research. Her commitment to animal advocacy began during her undergraduate studies, when she interned with Animals Asia Foundation in Hong Kong.

She earned her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, where she served on the editorial board of Animal Law Review, and holds a B.A. in psychology and music from Wellesley College. Jaclyn is licensed to practice law in Oregon and previously chaired the Animal Law Section of the Oregon State Bar.

Originally from New Hampshire, she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her son, Wolf, and three rescued animals—Ziva, Willow, and Houdini. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, playing piano, teaching yoga, and creating plant-based meals that showcase how delicious vegan food can be.