March 2019 by Laura Donahue, Katie Jarl and Lorri Michel

Audience: Executive Leadership

Video Length: 54:18

Legislative Advocacy: Influence Laws and Ordinances

This session will teach you how to move legislation towards supporting lifesaving efforts. This presentation was recorded by Maddie's Fund® at the 2019 American Pets Alive! Conference.

About Laura Donahue Halloran

Laura Donahue is the Executive Director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN). At THLN, Laura creates and oversees the strategic and operational responsibility for THLN's legislative advocacy, fundraising, and expansion. Most recently, Laura was a lobbyist and policy consultant for a non-profit working on national government reform. Laura has previously served the Humane Society of the United States and also founded Humane Dominion, a Washington D.C. political action committee that represents animal advocacy efforts. Laura brings the expertise needed to increase statewide visibility and put into effect legislative movement and change.


About Katie Jarl

Katie Jarl, the Texas senior state director for HSUS, works to pass animal welfare legislation at the state and local levels, coordinate disaster and rescue response for animals in need, and engage animal advocates on animal protection issues. Previously, she served as the deputy director of the HSUS media relations department and worked closely with the animal fighting campaign to promote federal and state legislation. Jarl traveled with the HSUS rescue team to dozens of cities across the country to handle on-site media and assist with dog fighting, cockfighting, and many other animal cruelty cases.


About Lorri Michel

Lorri is one of the state's leading property tax attorneys and is a trusted subject matter expert on property tax laws for the Texas Legislature. Lorri is the managing partner of her Austin-based law firm Michel | Gray, LLP. In addition to her practice of law, Lorri has been a tireless advocate for homeless pets and is one of the initial founders of Austin's successful No Kill movement.