Steven Wise Tribute, Part III

Authors

  • Elizabeth Stein Nonhuman Rights Project
  • Gail Price-Wise Nonhuman Rights Project
  • Lauren Choplin Nonhuman Rights Project

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36151/DALPS.037

Keywords:

Animal Law, Animal Rights, Autonomy, Chimpanzee, Elephant, Equality, Habeas Corpus, Justice, Liberty, Nonhuman, Person, Personhood, Thing, Wise

Abstract

The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) was founded in 1995 by attorney Steven Wise, a recognized visionary in the field of animal rights. With Steve as the guiding force, the organization has achieved historic legal firsts, including the first habeas corpus hearings on behalf of nonhuman animals, powerful judicial opinions in support of chimpanzees’ and elephants’ right to liberty, and affirmation of the importance of nonhuman animal autonomy when considering recognition of this right. Historian Jill Lepore called one of the NhRP’s court cases, with Steve as the lead attorney, “the most important animal-rights case of the 21st century.” Steve argued that advances in science and the fundamental principles of justice, liberty, and equality compelled the recognition of nonhuman animal rights. Throughout his career, Steve was well known for how accessibly and compellingly he conveyed these difficult legal concepts to diverse audiences and gained support for the animal rights cause. In February of 2024, Steve passed away from cancer. This article reflects on the history of Steve’s thinking, the development of his unique legal approach, the progress he achieved, and the lasting impact he will have—catalyzing not just judicial imaginations but also hope for a world where nonhuman animals are no longer irrationally and unjustly seen as legal “things” with no rights but legal persons with fundamental rights.

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Author Biographies

Elizabeth Stein, Nonhuman Rights Project

Elizabeth Stein is the Nonhuman Rights Project’s Litigation Director. Beginning with the first habeas corpus petition filed by the NhRP on behalf of a chimpanzee named Tommy, Liz worked alongside Steven Wise to formulate and direct litigation strategy and provide support for NhRP attorneys across all phases of litigation.  With Steve, she co-authored many law review articles on the topic of animal rights. She represents the NhRP at events and in the media and is perhaps best known as the NhRP attorney who first represented the elephant named Happy. Liz holds a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and a B.S. in German from the State University of New York at Albany where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude.

Gail Price-Wise, Nonhuman Rights Project

Gail Price-Wise is the president of the board of The Nonhuman Rights Project. She earned her masters degree from Harvard University in Public Health in 1986 and focused on improving healthcare for low income populations and reducing interracial and intercultural prejudice. She was married to Steven Wise for 20 years and worked beside him to build the NhRP. She was his caregiver at the end of his life.

Lauren Choplin, Nonhuman Rights Project

Lauren Choplin is the NhRP’s Communications Director. She received an M.A. in Literature from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in 2014, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Nonfiction) from the University of Alabama in 2010, and a B.A. in English with a minor in International Relations from the University of Southern California in 2004. At Rutgers, Lauren’s research areas included critical animal studies, ecocriticism, narrative empathy, resistance, and social change. She has been with the NhRP since 2013 and worked closely with Steven Wise.

References

BRULLIARD, K. Chimpanzees are animals. But are they ‘person’? The Washington Post (March 2017) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/03/16/chimpanzees-are-animals-but-are-they-persons/

DIEFENBACH, M. Orleans County issues first habeas corpus on behalf of elephant, The Daily News (Nov. 32, 2018), https://bit.ly/3AwkCWV

Gallagher v. St. Raymond’s R.C. Church, 21 N.Y.2d 554, 558 (1968)

Lemmon v. People, 20 N.Y. 562, 604-06, 618, 623, 630-31 (1860)

LEPORE, J. The Elephant Who Could Be a Person, The Atlantic (Nov. 16, 2021),

https://www.theatlantic.com/idea/archive/2021/11/happy-elephant-bronx-zoo-nhrp-lawsuit/620672

Matter of Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc. v. Stanley, 49 Misc.3d 746, 772 n.2 (Sup. Ct. 2015)

Matter of Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc. v. Lavery, 31 N,Y.3d 1054, 1055-59 (2018) (Fahey, J. concurring)

Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc. v. Presti, 124 A.D. 3d 1334 (4th Dept. 2015)

Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc. v. Breheny, 38 N.Y.3d 555, 637 (2022)

People ex rel. Tweed v. Liscomb, 60 N.Y. 559, 566 (1875)

People ex rel. Pruyne v. Walts, 122 N.Y. 238, 241-242 (1890)

People ex rel. Keitt v. McCann, 18 N.Y.2d 257, 263 (1966)

People ex rel. Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc. v. Lavery, 124 A.d.3d 148 (3d Dept. 2014)

Rivers v. Katz, 67 N.Y.2d 485, 4993 (1986)

SIEBERT, C. Should a Chimp Be Able to Sue Its Owner, The New York Times Magazine (April 23, 2014), https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/magazine/the-rights-of-man-and-beast.html

Somerset v, Stewart, 1 Lofft. 1, 98 Eng. Rep. 499 (K.B. 1772).

Union Pacific Railway Co. v. Botsford, 141 U.S. 250, 251 (1891)

WISE, S.M. Rattling the cage: Toward legal rights for animals (2000) 5

Woods v. Lancet, 303 N.Y. 349, 355 (1951)

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Published

2024-06-19

How to Cite

Stein, E., Price-Wise, G., & Choplin, L. (2024). Steven Wise Tribute, Part III. DALPS (Derecho Animal-Animal Legal and Policy Studies), 2, 632–641. https://doi.org/10.36151/DALPS.037

Issue

Vol. 2 (2024)

Section

In Memoriam

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Copyright (c) 2024 DALPS (Derecho Animal-Animal Legal and Policy Studies)

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