Southern Illinois

Now accepting applications for the 2027-28 season!

The ISBA’s Rural Practice Initiative Committee created the Rural Practice Fellowship Program in 2020 to increase access to attorneys in rural areas of Illinois. The Program connects rural and small-town attorneys and law firms looking to hire summer law clerks and full-time associates with law students and attorneys interested in practicing law in rural communities in Illinois.

As of 2020, data showed that more than half of Illinois counties have less than 0.7 lawyers in private practice per 1,000 residents. Thirty-five Illinois counties have ten or fewer attorneys total in private practice, and 13 counties have five or fewer attorneys total in private practice. Learn more about legal deserts.

The ISBA Rural Practice Section offers the Rural Practice Fellowship to address the issue.

The Summer Clerk portion of the Program connects law students with rural practitioners to give them experience working in rural communities before they leave law school. Summer Law Clerk Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, mentoring, support, and training.

The Associate portion of the Program places attorneys as associates with rural practitioners where they serve both paying and pro bono clients. Associate Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend to be paid $5,000 at the beginning of the fellowship and $5,000 to be paid after the first year of the fellowship, mentoring, support, and training.

Deadline for applications is September 18, 2026.

Learn more about the programs and apply. 

Email RPFellows@isba.org with questions.

ALTON, Ill. — Simmons Hanly Conroy and partner Jayne Conroy are nationally ranked in “Product Liability: Plaintiffs” in the 2026 Chambers USA guide. This is the 11th consecutive year that Jayne Conroy has been nationally ranked, including being selected in Nationwide Band 1 for every year since 2020. This is the sixth straight year that Simmons Hanly Conroy has received a Nationwide Band 2 ranking.

ALTON, Ill. —

Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP is proud to announce it has secured more than $12 billion on behalf of clients nationwide, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued advocacy for individuals and families impacted by asbestos exposure, environmental contamination, dangerous pharmaceuticals, corporate negligence, and personal injury.

ALTON, Ill. – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, was proud to support the Alton Firefighters Local 1255 Third Annual Golf Tournament as a Gold Sponsor.