As the only statewide general bar association in Illinois, the ISBA is working to address the shortage of attorneys in rural areas of Illinois. The ISBA’s Rural Practice Fellowship Program is designed to connect rural and small town law firms looking for law clerks and associates with law students and attorneys interested in practicing law in rural communities in Illinois.
Thank you to everyone helping to support this program!
Illinois Faces a Shortage of Rural Attorneys
Many Illinois counties have no more than two or three lawyers—and many of these are approaching retirement with no prospect of younger attorneys to take their place. Because of the cost of law school, younger lawyers are not able to afford to start practice with the generally lower salaries available in rural areas.
This shortage of attorneys creates several problems. Established practitioners struggle to find newer or mid-career attorneys to transition or expand their practices, resulting in firms closing or lawyers continuing to practice longer than they would like practice. Clients, on the other hand, often face a challenge in obtaining the legal help they need. The shortage of attorneys poses the greatest hurdle for lower income individuals and others for whom traveling long distances to see a lawyer is difficult or simply not feasible.
How the ISBA Is Helping
Overseen by the Rural Practice Section, the ISBA's Rural Practice Fellowship program connects rural law firms with law students and graduates, benefiting both the fellows and the lawyers who oversee them.
- How the Rural Practice Fellowship Program Works
- Rural Practice Fellows
- Rural Practice Fellows Placed by Geography
- ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program in the News.
Questions?
Please email RPFellows@isba.org