The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) provided an update on May 6 regarding its Rural Practice Fellowship Program, which aims to connect law students and attorneys with law firms in rural and small-town Illinois.
The program addresses the ongoing challenge of access to justice in rural communities by offering financial support for summer law clerks and associate attorneys who join participating rural firms. Summer clerks receive a $5,000 stipend, while associate attorneys are awarded $10,000 in two installments to help with their transition into rural practice. These stipends are made possible through contributions from the ISBA, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, and individual donors.
Launched during the 2020-2021 bar year under Past President Dennis Orsey’s leadership, the fellowship has become a significant pipeline for connecting legal professionals with opportunities outside urban centers. Since its inception, grants have been awarded to 34 summer law clerks and 43 associate attorneys. Interest in the program remains strong; over six years there have been 84 summer clerk matches and 50 associate attorney matches applying for grants.
Fellows must now provide pro bono services as part of their participation. The program also expanded recruitment efforts beyond law students to include practicing attorneys from urban areas who may be seeking new career paths. For participating firms, this initiative offers a targeted recruitment tool that helps them reach candidates specifically interested in rural practice without relying on traditional job postings.
The ISBA has further developed this effort by creating the Rural Practice Section and governing council to oversee both the fellowship program and additional initiatives supporting lawyers serving smaller communities. More information about these programs is available at isba.org/sections/rural.
According to the official website, the Illinois Bar Association serves more than 28,000 members across Illinois, promotes diversity and inclusion within its ranks, recognizes excellence through awards for pro bono service and diversity leadership, provides continuing legal education resources as well as professional networking opportunities from its administrative base at the Illinois Bar Center, all under an elected president supported by a Board of Governors and Assembly.
Financial contributions remain crucial for sustaining these programs; donors making gifts before June 1 will be recognized in an upcoming issue of the Illinois Bar Journal. “Every contribution, whether through funding, mentorship or service plays a role in strengthening rural practice in Illinois,” said Angel Wawrzynek, Chair of ISBA Rural Practice Section.
