Rebecca J. Huss is a Professor of Law at Valparaiso University School of Law in Valparaiso, Indiana. Professor Huss has also taught at the University of Iowa College of Law, Notre Dame Law School, Stetson University College of Law and Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College.
Professor Huss has a Master of Laws in International and Comparative Law from the University of Iowa College of Law and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law. Professor Huss practiced in law firms on corporate matters, as well as in-house at in the animal health division of a pharmaceutical company prior to beginning her academic career.
Recent publications include: Aging Adults and Animals: Legal Issues Relating to Living with Companion Animals, Canines (and Cats!) in Correctional Institutions: Legal and Ethical Issues Relating to Companion Animal Programs, Canines on Campus: Companion Animals at Postsecondary Educational Institutions; Canines in the Classroom: Service Animals in Primary and Secondary Educational Institutions, Why Context Matters: Defining Service Animals Under Federal Law; Lessons Learned: Acting as Guardian/Special Master in the Bad Newz Kennels Case;and Issues Relating to Companion Animals and Housing, in Animal Law and the Courts: A Reader (Taimie L. Bryant, Rebecca J. Huss & David N. Cassuto eds., 2008). Her primary focus in research and writing is on the changing nature of the relationship between humans and their companion animals and whether the law adequately reflects the importance of that relationship. Her scholarship can be accessed at http://ssrn.com/author=330506
In 2007 Professor Huss was appointed by the District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia as the guardian/special master in Civil Action No.:3:07CV397, United States v. Approximately 53 Pit Bull Dogs (the Bad Newz Kennels case). For her work as guardian/special master, she was the recipient of a 2008 Law Enforcement Public Service Award from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, an Award of Excellence form the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, a 2008 President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency and Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Excellence, and a United States Department of Justice, National Asset Forfeiture Award for Outstanding Investigation or Case (awarded July 2009).