A new fellowship program will try to chip away at a shortage of lawyers in rural communities in Illinois by offering incentives to young attorneys and law students to work in smaller towns.
The Illinois State Bar Association’s Rural Practice Fellowship Program offers two tracks. Soon-to-graduate law students can receive a $5,000 stipend and mentoring if they spend the summer working in a rural community. A separate track for new attorneys who’ve already graduated will offer up to $10,000 if they complete at least a full year in a smaller community.
Dennis Orsey is a general practice attorney in Granite City. He s also president of the Illinois State Bar Association.