Rural Justice Program nominated for American Bar Association award

The Rural Justice Program, a partnership among the UND School of Law, the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the North Dakota state courts to encourage law students to pursue legal careers in rural communities in North Dakota, was recently nominated for the 2017 ABA Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access.

“The lawyer shortage, especially in rural areas in North Dakota, creates a real crisis for the citizens of our state who don’t have access to adequate legal services,” said Dean Kathryn Rand. “Our strong partnership with our state bench and bar inspired the Rural Justice Program, and it has successfully placed future attorneys to experience working in rural areas.  We are pleased this important program is nominated for the Brown Award.”   

The goal of the program is to provide a rural work experience to current students to encourage them to consider rural practice after graduation. Each summer, stipends are awarded to 7 or 8 students who secure summer legal employment in a rural community with a state judge, a state’s attorney office, indigent defense services or a solo or small law firm. The Rural Justice Program also provides educational and career development programming for law students. 

Public Encouraged to Vote Rural Justice Program For Brown Select

As a nominee, the Rural Justice Program is also considered for an award selected through an online public vote.  Each nominee of the Brown Award is in the running for Brown Select, which will be presented to the nominee that gets the most votes from the general public through online voting.

Related Stories:

Rural Justice in North Dakota - Hamline Law Review

Rural Lawyer Shortage - Prairie Public Radio

Lawyer Shortage in Some Rural Areas Reaches Epic Proportions - WUNC