We are excited to introduce the
State Bar of Wisconsin's Rural Practice Development Program, an initiative designed to help bridge the gap in legal services in rural communities throughout the state. This program presents a unique opportunity for attorneys to relocate to underserved rural communities, establish or join a practice, immerse themselves in local life, and receive a financial stipend of $10,000.
Program Overview
Each year, three eligible attorneys are chosen to move to designated rural areas, where they will practice law for at least two years. The program's focus is on fostering long-term attorney retention, thereby improving access to essential legal services in rural Wisconsin. By encouraging attorneys to become fully invested in these communities, both professionally and personally, we aim to cultivate lasting, impactful connections between the legal profession and rural residents.
Program Benefits for Attorneys
Along with the $10,000 stipend, attorneys chosen for the program will also receive a subscription to PINNACLE® Books Unbound for individuals (valued at $1409 annually), PINNACLE® Ultimate Pass™ Gold (valued at $1199 annually), and, if applicable, membership in the Lawyer Referral Service panel (valued at $125 annually) for the two-year duration of the program.
These additional benefits, totaling $5466, are designed to support you during your time in the Rural Practice Development Program!
Employer Involvement
We are also seeking employers—law firms, non-profit organizations, or government entities—that provide legal services in rural areas to participate in this program. Employers play a key role in helping attorneys integrate into the community and build sustainable practices.
We invite you to consider this exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the legal landscape of rural Wisconsin. If you are an attorney interested in applying, or an employer looking to participate, we encourage you to review the full program details below.
Please contact Kim Burns at
kburns@wisbar.org or 608-250-6181 if you have any questions.
The Rural Practice Development Program is sponsored by:
