State Responses to Legal Deserts

RECRUITMENT AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

Arkansas: The goal of the Rural Practice Incubator Project is to support UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law alumni in launching viable small or solo practices in rural, underserved Arkansas communities. The 18-month program supports incubator attorneys with training, resources, mentoring, and a $6,000 stipend to assist them in building their professional careers as rural attorneys. Selected participants must:

Set up their own law office in an underserved rural area of Arkansas where that lawyer plans to settle. New lawyers must live in and/or have a clear presence in their chosen community.
Obtain and maintain malpractice insurance coverage.
Form their own solo firm or create/join one with other attorneys. Participants are not employees of UA Little Rock or any of the program partners.
Comply with the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct and all other ethical obligations.
Contribute at least 100 hours of pro bono service during the first year.
Each lawyer will commit to settle in and practice law in their chosen community as primary employment and will not actively seek other legal employment while in the Project. Participating lawyers may obtain part-time contract positions if they do not interfere with their solo practice, but will be asked to disclose other income sources to the Project.

Colorado:The Greater Colorado Fellowship Program provides a lawyer or recent/soon-to-be law school graduate with an opportunity to develop a successful criminal defense practice in rural Colorado. The Fellow begins working as an Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC) employee (for up to two years) with the security of a salary and benefits as they learn to become an excellent criminal defense attorney and entrepreneur. At the end of the fellowship, the Fellow will have the legal and business skills necessary to start a private practice in a Greater Colorado community, and they will transition from an OADC employee to a self-employed private practitioner.

Illinois: The Illinois State Bar Association created the Rural Practice Fellowship Program in 2020 to connect rural communities and law firms with law students and newer attorneys interested in practicing in rural areas. The Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Initiative Committee established two programs, the Rural Practice Summer Fellows Program which matches law students with rural law firms to encourage students to practice in rural communities. The program provides a $5,000 fellowship grant and mentoring focused on how to practice in rural communities and the Rural Practice Associate Fellows Program which places graduating law students and new attorneys as permanent associates with rural law firms. The program involves a $5,000 stipend when employment begins, and an additional $5,000 stipend if the associate works for the same law firm for one year.

Louisiana:The purpose of the Rural Justice Legal Incubator Project is to help solo practitioners build public interest-focused practices, while bringing much-needed legal services to low- and moderate-income Louisianans living in underserved, rural communities. Participating attorneys work with experienced Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) lawyers and receive free access to case management software and legal research programs, CLE training, mentorship, and the opportunity to co-counsel on cases with ALSC lawyers. In exchange for the training and incubation of their practice, attorneys agree to provide free legal representation on pro bono cases referred by ALSC, for which they will receive$30-50/hour, depending upon the case type.

Michigan: The Michigan Special Assignment Team offers a comprehensive approach to attorney shortages in the state that also integrates innovative technology. The seven areas of focus include:

Maintain and expand active recruiting and support for qualified attorneys willing to serve in underserved areas.
Enhance case management by optimizing the online platform to streamline case assignments and communication between attorneys, appointing authorities and Regional Managers.
Foster attorney development through ongoing training and mentorship authorities, including second-chair experiences, as a priority to develop and maintain attorney competency. Thes opportunities will assist systems throughout the state in establishing Standard 7 qualification for indigent counsel.
Provide specialized support for complex motions and appeals to ensure high-quality representation.
Facilitate communication and problem solving by serving as a liaison between stakeholders to resolve issues and promote collaboration.
Evaluate the impact of the project to adjust to community needs and effectiveness
Explore technology solutions by investigating and implementing artificial intelligence and other technologies to streamline legal processes, improive efficiency, and connect rural community with remote attorneys.

Montana: The Montana Legal Services Association manages the Rural Incubator Project for Lawyers is a 12-month program designed to train and support attorneys as they develop and launch new solo and small firm law practices. In exchange for 50 pro bono hours and 150 reduced-rate hours serving clients referred from MLSA, RIPL offers:

Business Development and Case Management Coaching. Fellows participate in 6-month business development and case management coaching period consisting of one-on-one check-ins with RIPL staff.
Continuing Legal Education. Fellows have access to continuing legal education ("CLE") sessions focused on substantive areas of law, practical skills, lawyer well-being, and a Pro Bono Membership access to free CLE from the Practicing Law Institute.
MLSA Pro Bono Residency. Through the Pro Bono Residency, Fellows gain invaluable skills and experience in delivering legal services and practical experience in substantive areas of civil law.
Practice Resources and Office Space. Fellows have access to practice resources, including free or discounted case management software, form briefs, Montana Legal Services Association Provide, protect and enhance access to justice.
Mentorship and Mentoring Calls. RIPL has gathered experienced practitioners excited to mentor Fellows in their expertise and practice management areas. Fellows attend weekly calls with MLSA staff attorneys and monthly training specifically for the RIPL fellows from mentors.
Fellows also have access to office space to meet with clients referred through MLSA at our offices in Missoula, Helena, and Billings.
Fellows have free participation in the Modest Means Program and the Montana Lawyer Referral & Information Service that connect prospective clients in need of sliding scale legal services with Fellows. Please note that RIPL refers civil matters only. There are other areas that are referred through the Modest Means program.
Malpractice Insurance. While engaged in pro bono and reduced rate services referred by MLSA, Fellows are covered by MLSA's malpractice insurance.
Student Loan Repayment Assistant. The Montana Justice Foundation offers RIPL Fellows student loan repayment assistance through its Loan Repayment Assistant Program (LRAP) for up to $1800.

Nebraska: The Nebraska State Bar Association established its Rural Practice Initiative in 2013. The program connects rural legal employers with law students and lawyers looking for employment opportunities in rural areas of the state. The NSBA hosts two interview events per year. One in the spring (via zoom) and one in the fall (in-person).

The Nebraska Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistanceprogram offers student loan repayment assistance. A participant must be either: 1) a full-time salaried attorney working for a tax-exempt charitable nonprofit organization in Nebraska whose primary duties are public legal service or 2) a full-time attorney primarily serving in a designated legal profession shortage area (currently defined as a rural area located within any county in Nebraska having a population of less than 15,000 inhabitants). The program is administered by the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy.

New Mexico: The New Mexico Judiciary launched the Rural Justice Initiative Clerkship Program within the Rural Justice Initiative - Supreme Court in January 2024 to address the lack of legal providers in rural areas of New Mexico. The program created paid law clerk positions in rural areas in New Mexico under the guidance and mentorship of state judicial Chief Judges. According to the State Bar or New Mexico, there are less than 60 active attorneys for more than 66,000 residents in the Ninth Judicial District which is an example of the need. Law clerks will work on assigned cases, and perform legal research, analysis, writing, and editing. Under the initiative, the law clerks must commit to two years with a salary of $70,000 a year, plus all judicial branch benefits.

North Dakota: The North Dakota Legislature authorized the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program in 2021. Under the program, the state of North Dakota, the North Dakota State Bar Association, and a participating community agree to pay an eligible attorney an incentive of $45,000 to work full-time in the participating community and to live within close proximity to the community for 5 years. The Rural Attorney Program matches eligible attorneys with communities, and all attorneys who are members in good standing with the North Dakota Board of Bar Examiners are automatically eligible for the program.

Ohio: The Ohio Rural Practice Incentive Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Lawyers who commit to a minimum of three years and up to five years in an underserved community can receive up to $10,000 per year toward student loan repayment.

South Dakota: South Dakota has committed to assuring access to attorneys through the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program which has operated since 2013. The Rural Attorney Recruitment Program pays $12,514 per year for 5 years to participating attorneys who agree to work in qualified rural areas. The state government covers 50% of the incentive payment, the South Dakota Bar Association pays 15%, and the remaining 35% is covered by the county government where the attorney is practicing. A 2024 annual report on their efforts can be found here. Only part-time State’s Attorneys are eligible to participate in the Rural Attorney Recruitment Practice at this time.

Vermont:The Vermont Bar Association and Vermont Law and Graduate School have partnered on a Lawyer Incubator Project to help new and new-to-Vermont lawyers establish law practices in underserved areas and for underserved populations of Vermont. The Project is designed to help develop each new lawyer’s practice skills through assignment of low bono cases, CLE trainings and mentorship opportunities. Project lawyers meet weekly via zoom to discuss progress on cases and on establishing a sustainable law practice.

Lawyers in the project receive a $2,000 stipend to help with law office start-up costs. They also receive free VBA membership, free admission to VBA events and MCLE programs, the opportunity to audit one course per semester at VLGS and use of the VLGS law library. Each lawyer must set up a functioning solo law office in an underserved area of Vermont or covering an underserved legal need. Each lawyer will develop a business plan and obtain professional liability insurance. Each lawyer must commit to take at least 4 pro bono and 4 low bono/reduced fee cases during the 18 months in the Project.

LAW SCHOOL PROGRAMS

National: Launched in the summer of 2016, the Rural Summer Legal Corps is a privately funded initiative to connect law students with legal aid programs in the common pursuit of better addressing the civil legal needs of rural communities. In partnership with Equal Justice Works, Legal Services Corporation selects about forty-five of the nation’s most talented and dedicated law students to spend their summers working at LSC-grantee offices across the United States and its territories. The students work on projects to improve access to justice for rural residents, including providing direct legal services, engaging in community outreach and education, researching, and helping build the capacity of LSC grantees.

Idaho: The University of Idaho College of Law offers the Rural Services Scholarship Fund to support students participating in internships, externships, or pro bono service in rural communities. The purpose of the program is to encourage students to develop connections in rural areas with the anticipation that these experiences will encourage future practice in those areas. Students are eligible to receive stipends ranging from $500 to $4,000.

Indiana: The Rural Justice Initiative places public-service oriented first-year law students as externs in the chambers of Indiana trial court judges. Students are supervised by individual Indiana judges and assist with researching and drafting, motions, court orders, and decisions. Students have opportunities to learn about courtroom procedure and motion practice, observe trials, and encounter the rewards and challenges of serving rural communities. Each participant receives a $4,000 stipend for the eight-week summer position.

Iowa: Drake Law School is actively working to identify and place interested law students in rural or small practices for summer clerkships, with the hope that such relationships will develop into full-time employment in the future and provide succession planning for retiring attorneys or firms looking to expand their practice. The Rural Access to Justice Initiative (RAJI) reduces any financial barriers for a law student to consider a summer clerkship in rural Iowa. Drake can offer a stipend to a participating student to offset housing, commuting, or other financial obstacles to an otherwise enriching professional experience.

Kansas: The Washburn Law’s Rural Externship Program, funded by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, offers students an incredible opportunity to experience life and law practice in rural Kansas. This program aims to spark interest in rural legal careers by immersing students in the communities they serve. The program places students in one of the 26 counties supported by the Hansen Foundation in northwest Kansas. Participants can enroll in six credit hours of externship work during the summer, with the program covering full tuition costs. Additionally, students receive a $5,000 living stipend to cover travel, housing, and related expenses. This immersive experience involves partnering with practicing attorneys or judges, providing students with hands-on experience in rural legal practice.

Nebraska: The Nebraska Rural Law Opportunities is available at Chadron State College, the University of Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State college. The program is available to students from rural Nebraska. Students receive scholarships to fund their undergraduate education and will begin to develop their relationship with the University of Nebraska College of Law as early as their freshman year in college. Participants will be required to maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA at their undergraduate institution to remain in the program. RLOP students who satisfy this GPA requirement, obtain a minimum LSAT score and meet other minor law school application criteria will be automatically accepted to the University of Nebraska College of Law.