About the Rural Clerkship Program
The State Bar's Rural Clerkship Program exposes students to the benefits of practicing law in rural Wisconsin by connecting students with employers offering a limited-term, full-time, paid summer employment opportunity. Employment typically lasts eight weeks, starting after the end of the spring semester.
Students (1L and 2L) from Wisconsin and Minnesota law schools who are in good standing and interested in rural practice are eligible for the program.
Student clerks gain practical legal experience, and participating employers obtain valuable legal support.
Employer Participants in 2025:
Hougum Law Firm, LLC, Wausau
Jensen, Scott, Grunewald & Shiffler, Medford
Kirk, Graves & Nugent Law Offices, Prairie du Sac
Kostner, Koslo & Brovold LLC, Arcadia
Nash Law Group, Attorneys at Law SC, Wisconsin Rapids
Neuberger, Griggs, Sweet & Froehle, LLP, Watertown
Russell Law Offices, Dodgeville
Seymour, Kremer, Koch, LLP, Elkhorn
Wisconsin State Public Defenders, Various: Baraboo, Elkhorn, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Juneau, Monroe, Portage, Wausau, West Bend
2026 Rural Clerkship Program Important Dates
Some dates may need to change as situations progress.
- October 1, 2025 - Recruitment of employers begins
- November 19, 2025 - Deadline for employer submissions
- November 24, 2025 - Send program and employer information to law schools
- January 7, 2026 - Student packets due
- Jaunary 12, 2026 - Candidate information sent to employers
- January 26 - 30, 2026 - Virtual interviews
- February 4 - 11, 2026 - Offers made to students and finalized by February 13
