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Rural Attorney Recruitment Initiative

Rural Attorney Recruitment

Based upon the Committee’s recommendations, the Board of Commissioners approved an initiative consisting of two related components to assist in recruiting new attorneys to underserved rural areas.
Rural Attorney Recruitment

Law School Programming
Rural Clerkship Program
Results

Law School Programming Related to Opportunities in Rural Areas

The first step to build interest in the wide range of opportunities available in rural areas was to develop and produce programming related to rural area practice with students at both Mississippi law schools. The Bar sponsors panel presentations by attorneys working in rural areas who share the value and benefit of a rural practice with the students.

Rural Clerkship Program

After creating interest in rural practice areas through law school programming, the Bar launched the next component,  creating an opportunity for law students to work in rural areas.  The pilot program matched interested law students with attorneys practicing in rural areas through paid summer clerkships. 

Results

Since its inception, the initiative has successfully hosted 10 rural attorney panel presentations through partnerships with Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Mississippi School of Law. In addition, 16 rural clerkships have been completed with private funds providing a stipend upon completion of the clerkship. Law students have been placed in Alcorn, Bolivar, Itawamba, Lowndes, Newton, Union, Warren, Webster, and Washington Counties.

Applications for clerkships have far exceeded clerkship availability, with approximately 15% of applicants receiving a placement. If you practice in a rural area and would like to participate in the Rural Clerkship Program or if you would like to provide financial support for the program, please contact the Bar at eventsandprograms@msbar.org.

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