As Director of the Pro Bono Program for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Tom Linney oversees the nation’s largest pro bono network for animal protection. Under Tom’s leadership, the Pro Bono Program has created successful partnerships with many of the nation’s largest and most well-respected law firms and secured more than 63,000 pro bono hours for different Animal Legal Defense Fund projects, totaling more than $23 million in legal work to help animals.
Tom is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where he established an Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter, successfully petitioned the school to add an animal law course and coordinated several successful projects as Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter President. While Tom was in law school, he gained experience working for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and as an animal law practitioner. He also served as legislative intern for the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Tom became the first student to receive a Baron & Budd Fellowship from UT Law to pursue animal protection work. He is currently co-host of the radio show “Animal Concerns of Texas,” has served on the boards of numerous local animal protection organizations, and as a judge at the National Animal Law Competitions.