Experiences in the Rural Practice Program

Introduction

I am a non-traditional law student. Calling myself a non-traditional law student simply means that I’m an older guy going to law school. Being a non-traditional law student and a veteran means I’ve had the opportunity to live and work in various environments, from small towns to large cities, and Army bases stateside to those in the deserts of the Middle East. I even called an old prison cell home for about a year while I was stationed in Iraq. It wasn’t until I came to law school and joined the Rural Practice Program that I had the chance to work in a place I never have before and one I never thought I’d want to practice in: my hometown.

I grew up in Greenview, Illinois, in rural Central Illinois, north of Springfield, in Menard County. This past summer, I had the opportunity to work for Grosboll, Tice, Barr, and Courtney, which is located in Petersburg, the county seat of Menard County. This experience allowed me to work with community members I had never met before, as well as with people I had known since I was a kid. Applying what I learned from law school back to my hometown was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I hope to continue working in that community after I pass the bar.

Legal experiences

The legal experience I gained between my first and second summer was quite different, partly thanks to the Rural Practice Program. After my first year, I worked at a relatively large law firm in Springfield with three partners and two associates. In contrast, the law firm I worked at during the summer had three partners but no associates. Working in the smaller office allowed me to interact directly with the partners, whereas at the larger firm, I mostly worked with the associates. Because of that, I had more opportunities to get hands-on experience with cases and receive direct feedback from the lawyers overseeing them.

During my first summer, I spent most of my time in the office doing research or reading compliance materials. It was a great experience, but I went to law school because I wanted to go to court and litigate.

Over this past summer, most of my time in the office was dedicated to preparing for court. When I wasn’t in the office, I was either in court or driving there. The firm I worked for was assigned to be the public defender for Mason and Cass Counties. I learned about criminal justice procedures firsthand, from first appearance to sentencing. The criminal cases ranged from minor offenses like driving on a revoked license to first-degree murder. I was able to handle a case of driving on a revoked license mostly by myself (the lawyer supervising me was always there to advise). I presented opening arguments, cross-examined witnesses, and delivered closing arguments. While law school teaches you the fundamentals, nothing compares to applying what you’ve learned in a real court setting.

Another highlight of my summer (as strange as it may sound to call it a highlight) was working on a murder case. I refer to it as a highlight because I genuinely gained insight into the importance of the justice system and the challenging role of the defense attorney. It’s crucial that the State ensures they present evidence proving they have the right person in custody, and it’s humbling to be a small part of making sure the State fulfills its responsibilities correctly and in an adversarial manner, just as the founders envisioned for our courts.

I can't say that every summer internship in a rural community will end up like mine with the same experiences. What I can share from my experience is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be boring. Actually, quite the opposite. In a big city, there are often numerous people and attorneys competing to attract each client. In a rural community, however, you might have towns with only a hundred or a few thousand residents and no attorney for miles. I saw firsthand how desperate these rural communities are for lawyers. I also observed the diverse range of legal practice areas required to serve as a rural lawyer. Over the summer, I worked on almost every type of law, including family, criminal, administrative, trust and estates, business, property, juvenile, small claims, and tax (excluding personal injury and bankruptcy). If, like me, you need to keep things fresh by trying your hand at different areas, rural practice might be just the right fit.

Community experiences

The experiences with law are not the only draw to rural practice; it’s also the experiences you share in the community. Not only do you get to know and work with judges and courtroom personnel, but you also work closely with other lawyers in your area, mostly in adversarial ways but also in cooperative ways. Since there aren't many lawyers in rural communities, you’ll find that you generally see the same faces day in and day out, and occasionally, you’ll see a “big city” lawyer come down into your neck of the woods. You also get to know the community around you. You will know the best place to grab a burger and, after work, find the best place to unwind with a beer. You might also be lucky enough to work in a small town that is home to your favorite microbrewery (Shout Out to Hand of Fate Brewery).

Conclusion

I grew up in a small town, so I feel most comfortable in one. Even if you've grown up and become used to city life, I suggest giving a small town a chance before heading back to the city. You'll likely find many of the same opportunities that a big city offers, just on a smaller scale. It is also likely that you could serve a community that has been underserved for decades, if at all. While it is true that you may find big opportunities in the big city, it is equally true that you can find big opportunities in rural communities as well.