Much of the focus in legal job discussions often centers on large law firms in urban centers where attorneys handle high-profile cases and benefit from well-established legal networks. However, rural legal practice plays a crucial role in ensuring access to justice in areas that are frequently overlooked or underserved.
Practicing law in a rural setting offers a unique and exciting opportunity to develop a broad range of legal skills while significantly impacting local communities. As legal deserts expand, particularly in rural regions, attorneys in these areas can serve as invaluable mentors. Here’s how rural attorneys can help you prepare for rural legal practice and what you can do to prepare on your own.
Rural America faces a significant shortage of legal professionals, which is contributing to a growing access-to-justice crisis. The American Bar Association and various state bar associations have identified numerous rural areas as “legal deserts,” where residents struggle to find attorneys for essential legal services, such as family law, estate planning, and criminal defense.
Rural communities often contend with legal issues exacerbated by economic hardship, limited transportation options, and a lack of local services. Attorneys practicing in rural areas play a vital role in ensuring that members of these communities don’t fall through the cracks of the justice system.
Simultaneously, a rural practice offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with your clients and communities. Unlike in urban settings, where attorneys typically specialize in a narrow area of the law, rural lawyers often handle a wide range of legal matters. This diversity of practice can be deeply fulfilling and challenging.
According to North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte, “Rural practice is needed and important for our communities and our field. Although rural practice is difficult and challenging because you must wear many hats, it is deeply fulfilling to help various people.”
Attorneys in rural areas are uniquely positioned to mentor you as you prepare to begin your career. Through internships and externships with them, you can gain firsthand experience in rural practice. You may assist with client interviews, attend court hearings, and conduct legal research on various issues. This exposure can allow you to see how legal theory applies to real-world situations and give you a deeper understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by rural communities.
Also, rural attorneys often play essential roles in their communities, not only as legal professionals but also as trusted advisors, volunteers, and civic leaders. Working alongside these attorneys, you will better appreciate the importance of forming connections within your community. Rural practices also include close-knit professional networks. Developing connections with judges, court staff, and other attorneys in the area can provide you with valuable contacts that can lead to mentorship, guidance, and job opportunities as you embark on your career.
If a more intimate and varied practice in a more rural setting appeals to you, you can prepare now by pursuing a broad legal education. If your law school offers courses and clinics focused on rural legal issues, such as agricultural law, land use, and water rights, they can be a good foundation for a rural practice.
If available, also pursue internships with judges in rural courthouses. The relationships you build doing that work can be instrumental in securing future employment. Because many rural areas struggle to attract new attorneys, you’ll likely be highly valued and actively recruited by local legal professionals if you demonstrate a genuine interest in serving a rural community.
Also, do all you can to learn more about and deeply understand the socioeconomic challenges that rural communities face, including poverty, limited access to healthcare, and restricted access to services. A deep understanding of the issues affecting your community will foster a sense of empathy and social responsibility and help you develop innovative legal solutions tailored to the specific needs of your rural clients.
Work on developing flexibility and creativity. You may need to travel long distances to meet clients or attend court hearings, and you must be capable of addressing a wide range of legal issues with limited resources. You can prepare for these challenges by fostering independence and honing your problem-solving skills.
If you’re concerned about the financial burden of your student loan debt, investigate programs available to help alleviate this burden for attorneys working in rural or underserved areas.
One notable program is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance on federal student loans after an attorney has made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a government or nonprofit organization. Many rural legal aid organizations, public defenders, and prosecutors’ offices qualify as public service employers and would qualify you to benefit from this program.
In addition, several states offer loan repayment assistance programs, also called LRAPs, specifically designed to attract attorneys to rural areas. For example, North Dakota’s Rural Attorney Recruitment Program provides financial assistance to attorneys who commit to working in underserved parts of the state. Other states, such as South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, have similar programs offering partial loan repayment or direct financial incentives for attorneys willing to serve rural communities.
