"Barbara is one of those rare people blessed with combining her profession (law) with her passion (animals).  Her advocacy for animal rights is changing the face of the legal system and her compassion is truly inspirational."
Tony Lorusso
Executive Director
Minnesota  Trade Office

"Barbara Gislason is to animal law what Ty Cobb was to baseball. She is a thinker, a dreamer, and a master of everything she undertakes."
Tony Macauley
Attorney at Law
Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer & Jensen, LLP
Los Angeles, California

"I am not surprised that Barbara Gislason has become a pioneer in the relatively new area of animal law.  She was an undergraduate in some of my classes quite a few years ago at Carleton College and even then she showed herself to be an original--a colorful personality with a fine mind for legal matters. I cannot claim that I saw her future in the area of Animal Law at the time but I could tell she would have a fine career in the law--and so she has."

Professor Michael Zuckert
Notre Dame, Indiana

“In 2003, I was the President Elect for the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) and Barbara J. Gislason approached me and asked that I be her sponsor for the creation of the MSBA Animal Law Committee. At the time, I knew Ms. Gislason had successfully launched the MSBA Art and Entertainment Law Section, and had a fine reputation with the MSBA as a leader.

Since my agreement to sponsor this Committee, everything that has occurred has exceeded my expectations. By the end of one year, the Committee gained section status, which I believe is an all-time MSBA record.

At the same time, Gislason launched the first Animal Law Committee in the American Bar Association, finding a home in the prestigious Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. This, in my opinion, is an amazing accomplishment. Ms. Gislason is to be commended as a visionary leader in a new practice area.”

David Stowman
Past President Minnesota State Bar Association
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

"Barbara Gislason is a rare find in the legal world ... she understands the complexities of animal cruelty law, and has a compassionate heart for all animals. In a world where animals are often overlooked and treated unkindly, Barbara is well on her way to changing that!"

Allie Phillips
Attorney & Animal Advocate
Director of Public Policy
American Humane Association
Alexandria, VA

"It is difficult to take this emotionally wrenching issue-- the plight of animals-- and calmly and persuasively work to shape policy to help them. Barbara has done that; she continues to use her patient, determined and creative intellect in the service of her heart to create a better world for the needs of creatures of all kinds. We can only be grateful that she is at the forefront of animal law."

Karin Winegar
Author of SAVED, Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform

"Barbara J. Gislason is the “leading animal advocate in the country.”

Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil Show

"We can't think of anyone we've ever met who knows more about animal law than Barbara Gislason. She is absolutely awesome! Dr. Phil was right to call her the best animal lawyer in the country on his national television show. Barbara combines her extensive knowledge with a heart that brims with love for animals and the people who love them, too. We highly recommend her to anyone who wants a passionate and experienced animal advocate on their side."

Allen and Linda Anderson
Authors of the Angel Animals Series
Founders of the Angel Animals Network

“Barbara Gislason invited me to speak at the first meeting ever held at the American Bar Association on animal law. Her pioneering efforts made this ground breaking meeting possible. I was impressed with her deep convictions, open mind, and willingness to work on improving animal welfare in the practical real world. She is not blinded by ideology that can sometimes have unintended bad consequences that hurt animal welfare.”

Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Professor of Animal Science, Colorado State University
Author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make us Human

“Barbara Gislason has done powerful and seminal work in getting the American Bar Association to acknowledge the burgeoning field of animal law. She is very effective in her efforts, in large part because of her ability to create dialogue that brings putatively opposing parties into constructive dialogue. There is no question in my mind that animal law will increase in importance; it is currently taught in more than 90 law schools. That it is now mainstream and respected in the legal community is due in no small part to Ms. Gislason's quiet but influential work.”

Bernard E. Rollin
University Distinguished Professor
Professor of Philosophy
Professor of Animal Sciences
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
University Bioethicist

"I met Barbara Gislason at the time I chaired the Intellectual Property Law Committee for the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. My Committee was one of the sponsors of the Bioengineering program at Duke Law School created by the TIPS Animal Law Committee that Barbara Gislason founded. Because of her performance at this conference, and various other projects, I recruited her to be Chair Elect of the Intellectual Property Law Committee and am thrilled she accepted."

Nathaly J. Vermette
Past Chair ABA TIPS Intellectual Property Committee
Attorney at Law & Trade-mark Agent
Montreal, Quebec

“Barbara’s energy and commitment to establishing the ABA Animal Law Committee and then acting as the catalyst for the Committee to become a leading force in the  field of animal law has earned her the respect of the animal lawyers throughout the world."

John L. Kerr, Esq.
Kerr Legal Group, LLC
Braintree, MA

“Barbara's tenacity, commitment and compassion make her an extremely effective representative for any client—two legged or four legged.” 

Ledy VanKavage
Sr. Director of Legal Training and Legislation
Best Friends Animal Society

"After many years as founding publisher of Milkweed Editions, I’m now the founding publisher of The Gryphon Press, the publisher of humane education books for children. In both publishing companies, I have been particularly concerned about the environment and the need for greater kindness to animals. I greatly appreciate Barbara J. Gislason’s efforts in Minnesota, nationally, and internationally, to make Animal Law a viable and respected field of law."

Emilie Buchwald
The Gryphon Press
"a voice for the voiceless"
Publisher

“Barbara Gislason is brilliant and my dogs and I adore her.”

Barbara Carlson
Author of This Broad’s Life
Media Personality

“In the field of animal law, Barbara Gislason is an inspiration who, with her unrelenting commitment, has inspired a large number of human beings, not just law persons, to grasp the truth about animal life and the respect that animal life demands from each one of us. Barbara had the distinction of being the first Chair of the Animal Law Committee of the ABA and its success goes to her credit. Under the guidance of Barbara, this website would be of immense help and assistance to all those who intend to unravel and learn about the cruelties that man inflicts on animals and also, the inadequacy of existing laws which seek to check such practices, in the field of science, entertainment, nutrition, working animals amongst others. The website can easily be counted amongst the leading conscience keepers of global society.”

Raj Panjwani
Author of Wildlife Law: Conflicts and Resolutions
Delhi, India

“The animals left behind after Hurricane Katrina are better off today because of Barbara Gislason’s care and determination to change disaster relief laws. I saw a lot of darkness when making my documentary. Gislason was a bright light that shows the promise of a brighter future for animals affected by disasters.”

Kim Walsh Borgan
Director/Producer
Left Behind Without a Choice

“In the new field of Animal Law, Barbara Gislason is a true visionary.”

Katherine Bloomquist
Attorney at Law
Past Chair, Minnesota State Bar Association Animal Law Section
Chaska, Minnesota

“Barbara is a force of nature on behalf of animals. Her energy and vision has enhanced the visibility and possibilities for the practice of animal law across the nation, as the Animal Law Committee within the ABA, of which she was instrumental in its formation, grows and continues to be active within the general bar.” 

Professor David Favre
Michigan State University College of20Law
Detroit, Michigan

"I have worked with Barbara on numerous projects in the past five years and found her to be a most knowledgeable, capable, hard working and dynamic attorney. She has tremendous expertise in animal law and if I had an animal law issue Barbara is the first person I would contact about that issue. If I could work with only one person on an animal law case, Barbara Gislason would be my choice."

James F. Carr, First Assistant Attorney General
State of Colorado Department of Law
Denver, Colorado

"Barbara Gislason, the visionary founder of the ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee, has been a powerful force for moving the animal advocacy discussion into the mainstream. She strives to balance every discussion with voices from opposing sides of the issue and has often succeeded in bridging divides between animal activists and conservative viewpoints from agribusiness, laboratory research institutions and national veterinary associations. As the ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee nears its fifth anniversary, Barbara continues to be the driving force that will mould this entity into the successful instrument of a paradigm shift."

Kristina A. Hancock
Senior Counsel, LUCE FORWARD HAMILTON & SCRIPPS, LLP
San Diego, California

"Barbara Gislason moved heaven and earth to establish the Animal Law Committee within the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Section and has worked tirelessly to make it one of the most successful Committees within the ABA. The mission of the Committee is founded upon creating a new paradigm within the law to address the interests of all animals. Barbara embodies the vision of this new paradigm and with tenacity, ingenuity, and commitment is striving to make the new paradigm a reality.  I am honored to call this truly remarkable woman a friend and colleague."

Professor Joan Schaffner
George Washington University Law School
Washington, D.C.

"In Minneapolis, I have had a long career in Theatre, performing, teaching and coaching many professionals from authors to United States Senators. In this past year, I have been inspired by working with Barbara J Gislason, who has a vision about animals that is unique and remarkable. Her communication skills are growing and she shines as a beacon to attract others."

Shirley Venard
Speaking Systems
Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Barbara J. Gislason is a powerhouse!"

Joyce Tischler
Founder, General Counsel
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Cotati, California

"The field of Animal Law has grown exponentially within the legal profession.  Barbara Gislason is a catalyst in the field.  She searches out and finds the brightest and most dedicated lawyers, then brings them together, offers guidance, and motivates them to create worthwhile projects that benefit the profession and our society.  Barbara accomplished this when she initiated the ABA-TIPS Animal Law Committee and led it to the success it has achieved.  Now that Barbara has initiated www.animalattorneyonline.com, we can expect more great things from her.  And, as we all know, Barbara will far exceed our expectations."

Julie I. Fershtman
Counsel
Zausmer, Kaufman, August, Caldwell & Tayler, P.C.
Farmington Hills, Michigan