Legal scholar, Humane Party policy strategist, and advocate
James Schultz approaches animal liberation through the lens of justice, law, and moral philosophy. Trained as a lawyer and philosopher, his work reflects a careful but uncompromising commitment to ethical consistency—one that ultimately refused to stop at the human species boundary.
James Schultz serves as Chair of the Humane Party’s Policy Committee, where he helps guide the party’s ethical framework and legislative direction.
In this interview, Schultz reflects on how his views developed, what sustains his commitment, and how he imagines a just future grounded in law, nonviolence, and collective responsibility.
On Becoming Vegan
Schultz traces his path toward veganism back to high school, where an early encounter with philosophy planted a seed that would later resurface.
“I started thinking about ethical vegetarianism when I was a senior in high school. My older sister was in college and gave me a philosophy textbook she no longer needed. One of the excerpts in the book was from Animal Liberation. I read that and thought it made sense.”
He experimented with vegetarianism soon after, though support and practical knowledge were limited at the time.
“I tried ovo-lacto vegetarianism some time shortly after, but gave it up after about a year, mostly because of a lack of support and knowledge. Several years went by where I didn’t think about it much.”
The question returned during law school, when theory, community, and practical guidance converged.
“Around the same time I started law school, I started reading some Gary Francione. Shortly before, I met several vegans. They demonstrated to me that veganism was not impossible or unhealthy. I also talked to a dietitian. The confluence of these events led me to take up veganism. That was in late 2016.”
On Justice and Liberation
Schultz’s commitment to animal liberation is rooted in his academic and professional focus on justice.
“I studied government as an undergraduate and went to law school because I was interested in the concept of justice and how to realize it in the world.”
Initially, that concern centered on human systems alone.
“At first I was mostly concerned with justice among humans, but eventually I concluded that this narrow approach to politics and morality wasn’t justified and that the assault on non-human animals is one of the greatest injustices of our time.”
A Vision for a Just Future
Asked to describe a just, peaceful, and sustainable future, Schultz outlines a vision grounded in law, education, and nonviolence.
“I imagine a world that is almost universally vegan—maybe there will be a few non-vegan hunter-gatherers who tread lightly on the earth here and there—and veganism is the law of the land.”
In this future, legal systems explicitly protect non-human animals from exploitation.
“Both domestic and international law prohibit the use of sentient non-human animals like cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, chimpanzees, fish, or mice, for things like food, clothing, entertainment, or science.”
Schultz emphasizes that animal liberation exists alongside broader commitments to human justice.
“This world is also democratic, egalitarian, and cosmopolitan. The law prohibits the accumulation of mass fortunes while others starve or work in sweatshops.”
Education plays a central role.
“Anti-speciesism is taught to every child along with anti-racism and anti-sexism. Every child studies ethics and political philosophy.”
The society he envisions is explicitly nonviolent and civically engaged.
“Non-violence is the credo of our state. We welcome immigrants and learn from other cultures. Voter turnout is high.”
On Questioning the Status Quo
For those just beginning to challenge prevailing norms, Schultz situates today’s struggles within a broader historical arc.
“The world doesn’t have to be like it is now. It’s only been this way for a short time.”
He points to past transformations that were once dismissed as unrealistic or radical.
“Radical transformations for the better have occurred in the past and can happen again in the future if we put our minds to it.”
“Americans abolished state-sanctioned human slavery, except as a punishment, enfranchised African Americans and women, ended de jure racial segregation, though not yet de facto, and ended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, among other things.”
“At the start of all of these efforts, their advocates were mocked and ridiculed, but they succeeded anyway. We can succeed too.”
On Staying Motivated
When asked how he remains engaged in the face of setbacks, Schultz’s answer is direct.
“The only alternatives are nihilism, cynicism, apathy, surrender, or suicide. None of these are good options.”
Influences and Inspirations
Schultz credits a wide range of scholars and activists for shaping his perspective.
“My views have been shaped by many different people. When it comes to animal rights, I’ve been most influenced by the writings of Peter Singer, Gary Francione, Sue Donaldson, and Will Kymlicka.”
He also names Jan Deckers, Jeff Sebo, Steven Best, Tom Regan, Tatjana Visak, Robert Garner, Alasdair Cochrane, Siobhan O’Sullivan, and Tony Milligan as influential thinkers.
Among the works he recommends are Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights, Animal Liberation, and The Ethics and Politics of Meat Taxes and Bans.
Schultz also highlights the importance of activism.
“I am also inspired by the work of a variety of activists at organizations like PETA, Direct Action Everywhere, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Mercy for Animals and smaller more localized organizations like the Indiana Animal Rights Alliance.”
About James Schultz
James Schultz is Chair of the Humane Party Policy Committee. He holds a JD, an MA in philosophy, and a BA in government. He teaches government at the community-college level and previously worked as a public defender. You can contact him at jschultz.humaneparty@gmail.com.
The Humane Herald 