Feb. 26, 2025 – Attorneys: Are you considering a rural practice? Rural employers: Are you hiring? A new State Bar of Wisconsin program can help you: The Rural Practice Development Program seeks to address the critical gap in legal services in Wisconsin’s rural areas.

About the Program

The Rural Practice Development Program is designed to bridge the gap in legal services in rural communities across Wisconsin.

The program is fully funded by the Wisconsin Law Foundation Kathryn Rasmussen Bullon Fund to Enhance Legal Representation.

The goal of this program is to foster long-term attorney retention in rural Wisconsin and improve access to essential legal services. By supporting attorneys who are invested both professionally and personally in these communities, the State Bar aims to create sustainable legal practices that can make a lasting impact.

"This program is for so many types of attorneys and law students, not just civil attorneys from urban Wisconsin," said Paige Juel, a member of the program’s advisory group. She practices with Judicare Legal Aid in Wausau. "If you are an attorney or law student, in state or out, and interested in serving the public in some way, you should consider applying. The application process will even offer help finding an employer if you don't already have something in mind."

Attorneys: Here’s How We Help You Start a Rural Practice

The program selects three applicants willing to relocate to rural Wisconsin, establish a practice, and commit to at least two years of living and practicing law in these underserved areas. Attorneys must work full-time for a qualified employer or establish a full-time private practice in a defined county. Those who worked or resided in any of the defined counties for the past two years are not eligible. Attorneys have six months from the notice of acceptance to move and begin employment.

These attorneys receive a total value of $15,466 in cash and State Bar programs:

• a $5,000 stipend awarded at the beginning and another $5,000 upon successful completion of the two-year term;

• a subscription to PINNACLE® Books Unbound for individuals (valued at $1,409 annually);

• the PINNACLE® Ultimate Pass™ Gold (valued at $1,199 annually) to cover your CLE; and

• if applicable, membership in the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) panel (valued at $125 annually) for the two-year duration of the program.

Anyone interested in applying should visit the program page on Wisbar.org and complete the application before March 31, 2025.

"If you’re on the fence, consider this. Rural practice has the potential to be extremely rewarding, as you have the opportunity to provide legal services to those who may otherwise have limited representation options," said Renee Read, a member of the program’s advisory group who practices in Neenah. "​Rural communities regard their attorneys not just as professionals, but as leaders that propel the residents collectively forward."

Rural Employers: Are You Hiring? We Can Help

Employers play a critical role in helping attorneys integrate into the community and establish sustainable, impactful practices.

We are compiling a list of rural employers – those who provide legal services in rural areas – who are interested in hiring an attorney. This listing may be used as a resource for those attorneys accepted into the program to find employment. However, participants can find employment outside of the State Bar list or open their own practice.

These employers:

• are law firms, nonprofit organizations, or government entities;

• maintain a physical location of employment in a defined rural community (see this map); and

• anticipate a minimum of two years of full-time employment.

The applicants will be given a list of interested employers. This is not an offer of employment nor a job posting, but rather an opportunity to express interest in adding an attorney through the program.

Interested employers should review the program details and express your interest.