ISBA Rural Practice Section Council Attorney Profile: Jennifer L. Kincaid
Background and introduction
1. Full Name: Jennifer L. Kincaid
2. Hometown / Current Residence: Davenport, IA / Le Claire, IA (Business—Silvis, IL)
3. Law School Attended and Year of Graduation: Saint Louis University 2006
4. Year Admitted to the Illinois Bar: 2006
5. Current Role or Status (e.g., practicing attorney, judge, retired): Practicing attorney
6. Brief overview of your current or most recent practice: I am a Partner at Pepping, Balk, Kincaid & Olson, Ltd. in Silvis, Illinois, where I have practiced since 2006. I am licensed to practice in both Illinois and Iowa.
Career path and practice
Q: What inspired you to pursue a legal career, particularly in a rural setting?
A: I always wanted to be a lawyer from a young age. My parents would say they knew I was going to be a lawyer since I was always fast to argue my point on any matter. I wanted to be a small business owner like my grandfather and to make a real impact in my community. I am from the Quad Cities community and knew I wanted to come back here to practice to be near my family.
Q: What areas of law have you focused on throughout your career?
A: Probate, estate planning, real estate, adoption, guardianships, small claims, evictions, corporate, transactional law, and general civil litigation (I have given up the majority of my general litigation practice in the last 5 years).
Q: Did you always intend to practice in a rural area? Why or why not?
A: Yes. I knew the big city was not for me. St. Louis was great for a short time, but I was always coming back home to my family every chance I had. I love my community.
Q: Describe your typical client base and the community you served.
A: It is a complete cross-section in the Quad Cities. There is no typical demographic—it is the whole community from young to old, wealthy to indigent, every person that has a need.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your legal career?
A: This makes it sound like it’s over! I enjoy that there is a new challenge every day; that no day is the same. Even on the most challenging day when I feel completely exhausted and defeated there is nothing else I would be doing with my life than practicing law.
Q: What aspects of the practice were most challenging or frustrating?
A: In a small firm you have to know a little bit about everything which is sometimes a lot. Knowing when to say no and to refer a person out was something I learned over time.
Q: Was there anything you actively worked to change or improve in the legal system or in your practice environment?
A: I am constantly looking for ways to improve my legal community and my office with technology, communication, professionalism, and engagement. After 20 years I hope people would look back and say things are better in the office because of changes I have championed than before I joined the firm. I am very proud of bringing an adoption day celebration to Rock Island County annually, and working on new real estate rules and forms that were over 30 years old.
Q: How has rural legal practice changed over the course of your career?
A: There was once an abundance of attorneys in our area, and now we are all overwhelmed and overworked because the rate of retirement far outpaces the number of new lawyers coming into and STAYING in private practice. Many more are adopting technology and making changes to streamline office processes.
Accomplishments and contributions
Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: I have been recognized as an ABA Free Legal Answers Pro Bono Leader since 2018, named to the PILI Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll June 2020, was awarded the Rock Island County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Project Thomas L. Kilbride Award in 2015 & 2021, and was awarded the ISBA John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award 2021-2022. But I think I am most proud of continuing the legacy of those who came before me and growing my firm that has been in Silvis since 1959.
Q: Have you been involved in community service, local organizations, or bar association work? Please describe.
A: Honestly, it’s probably easier to ask what I haven’t been involved with! My commitment to the Quad Cities and the legal profession is something I take very personally, and I’ve stayed busy by serving in leadership roles across several organizations. Within the legal community, I’ve had the honor of serving as President of the Rock Island County Bar Association and President of the Quad City Estate Planning Council after serving on both of their boards for several years. I continue to serve as the Law Day co-chair and have been involved in several committees for the local bar. I’m also deeply invested in the future of our profession through my work as an Assembly Member for the Illinois State Bar Association representing the 14th Judicial Circuit and serving on the Rural Practice Section Council for several years. I also serve on the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission and am the Treasurer for the Lawyer’s Trust Fund of Illinois.
Outside of the office, my community roots run just as deep. I’ve spent years dedicated to the Jaycees of the Quad Cities, serving as past Treasurer, President and Chairwoman of the Board. I am currently on the Davenport Jaycee Foundation board. I continue to stay connected to my alma mater, St. Ambrose University, and previously served on their Presidential Advisory, Planned Giving, and Pre-Law councils.
I am also a firm believer in giving back to those who lack access to legal resources, which is why I chair the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and have worked closely with Prairie State Legal Services.
Whether it’s through the Quad City Chamber of Commerce or serving on local boards, I’ve always believed that being a good attorney means being an active, present member of the community I serve.
Q: Are there any cases, projects, or experiences that stand out as especially meaningful or impactful?
A: Helping any client navigate the legal process is rewarding, but it’s the really challenging head-scratcher cases that you are able to solve that solidify you are in the right place. The one that comes to mind most is an adoption I handled for a family. The child was brought to this country from a foreign country illegally. Another lawyer had the case and told the family the adoption would solve the immigration issues. That lawyer did not follow any of the proper statutory procedures to get this family to their goal of adoption. With the help of another colleague who was adept at contacting the consulate in the country of origin, and a lot of work to clean up the mess left by the other attorney, we were able to get the adoption finalized. I was also able to connect the family with a qualified immigration attorney to assist with the serious issues of deportation.
Looking ahead
Q: What advice would you give to young attorneys considering rural practice?
A: Be willing to work hard and be ready to build relationships in your community. Find a mentor—never be afraid to ask another attorney in your legal community for help. Know your reputation is everything. Get involved!
Q: What opportunities do you think exist today in rural law practice that didn’t exist earlier in your career?
A: When I started practicing in 2006 there were 25 attorneys for 1 job available, now there are 25 jobs for 1 attorney. The opportunities at a firm or as a solo are endless and growing every year. You can make a very good living while still having a life.
Q: How can the Rural Practice Section Council better support attorneys in rural areas?
A: Can we get a lobbyist or connect with the ISBA lobbyist? We need an advocate who is ACTUALLY a rural practitioner, not someone who thinks they know what we need.
Q: Are there services, programs, or initiatives you'd like to see the Illinois State Bar Association expand or implement?
A: Let’s get some group health insurance for small firms to save us some money! And if you are from a rural area your costs to join the ISBA should include every section you want to be a member of, no more of this add on cost since many of us are practicing in 10+ areas.
Q: Anything else you'd like to share with your peers or the broader legal community?
A: Get involved! Make sure your representatives locally, state, and nationally know about all of the issues facing rural practitioners and all of their constituents. Legal deserts effect every single person in a community.