Bill Enticing Law Graduates to Rural Areas

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — As a University of South Dakota law student, Sarah Larson didn't expect to be practicing in the small town of Gettysburg.

But her future husband, Michael. had a desire to move back to his hometown and get into the family business, so the couple settled into a small practice in the Potter County community.

The Associated Press reports that the Larsons are the latest example of law school graduates making the leap to rural areas.

The state Legislature this year funded a pilot program giving 16 lawyers a little more than $13,000 a year for five years to practice in a rural location currently underserved.

Of the state's more than 1,800 lawyers, 65 percent operate in just four cities — Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre and Aberdeen.

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