First Animal Law course offered in Minnesota

In January 2004, Gislason co-taught the first Animal Law course offered in Minnesota at Hamline University School of Law. Gislason then founded the Minnesota Common Law Project in Animal Law and worked in cooperation with the Minnesota Justice Foundation. During orientation week in August 2004, students from Hamline University School of Law, the University of Minnesota, and William Mitchell College of Law, under Gislason's guidance, qualitatively interviewed 38 judges and referees in six counties. The information was used to gain insight into the court's current knowledge and understanding of this practice area, to gather courtroom stories and experiences, and to consider how courts are bridging the gaps between codified law and case law in a rapidly changing field.