Scott Beckstead

Background

About Scott Beckstead

I have always been passionate about protecting animals, and that passion has played an enormous part in my professional careers. While I owned my own law firm from 1994 til 2008, I gained substantial experience in the field of Animal Law, including teaching the subject at the University of Oregon College of Law and Willamette University College of Law. I also co-authored the first casebook on Animal Law in I served as Mayor of Waldport from 2002 to 2007, and in 2008 took a position with the Humane Society of the United States, where I worked in a variety of policy director positions. In November of 2020, I was thrilled to be offered and accept a position with two affiliated organizations, Animal Wellness Action and Center for A Humane Economy, as their director of campaigns. I stepped out of that role in November 2024 and now serve as Chief Equine Programs Director for The Wild Animal Sanctuary. A top priority for me is and always will be saving horses both wild and domestic from cruelty, abuse, and slaughter. My portfolio of classes at Willamette University now includes Animal Law, Animal Agriculture Law, Wildlife Law and Policy, Alaska Wildlife Law, Endangered Species Act, Cannabis Law and Policy, and Polar Law.